The Effects of Prisons on Recidivism: The Case of Naivasha Maximum Security Prison, Kenya
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Date
2025-04
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Prisons should control recidivism through incapacitation, deterrence and reformation and rehabilitation of offenders but empirical studies have shown that prisons do not have strong deterrent effect on recidivism. The problem of recidivism is persistence across the globe. This study aimed at examining the effects of prisons on recidivism in Naivasha Maximum Security Prison, Kenya and determine the necessary policy changes to enhance reformation and rehabilitation of prisoners. To achieve this aim, four specific objectives and four assumptions of the study were formulated. The specific objectives were to identify and evaluate the programs used in rehabilitating prisoners at Naivasha Maximum Security prison, to examine the effectiveness of prison rehabilitation programs in Naivasha Maximum Security Prison, to explore the relationship between prisons and recidivism and to determine necessary policy changes towards reduction of recidivism in Kenyan prisons. The study employed descriptive survey research design. The research was both quantitative and qualitative in nature. The study’s sample size was 183 documented recidivists for questionnaires who were chosen through stratified random sampling method which is a probability sampling method, 16 key informants who were chosen through purposive sampling method which is a non-probability sampling method and 10 members of focus group discussion who were chosen through purposive sampling method which is a non-probability sampling method. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS and interpreted using descriptive statistics and was presented in form of tables, diagrams, frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis and was presented inform of statements, arguments, direct verbatim and discussions. The study findings were established and compared with other studies which were cited in the literature review. It was established that the rehabilitation programs which were being used in Naivasha Maximum Security Prison were academic programs, vocational programs and life skills training. On recidivism, the results revealed that majority of the recidivists, seventy three percent (73%) were ordinary recidivists and minority of the recidivists, twenty seven percent (27%) were serial recidivists. The study established that prison conditions in Naivasha Maximum Security Prison increases recidivism. For instance, the institution is characterized by ineffective rehabilitation programs, exposure to prison criminal peers, prisonization of convicts and harsh prison conditions characterized by prison gangs, overcrowding and congestion, infectious diseases, degrading clothing and beddings, physical violence, poor sanitation, poor diet sexual abuse and degrading treatment of convicts. The study concluded that prison conditions have an impact on recidivism. The study recommends that the government should ameliorate prison conditions and ensure that they are favorable to reformation and rehabilitation of convicts. Further studies should be carried out on the linkage between cost-effective prison funding model and prison conditions.
Description
A Research Project Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Award of Degree of Master of Arts in Security Management and Police Studies in the School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies of Kenyatta University, April 2025.
Supervisor
Thomas Namwambah