An assesment of probation services in Kenya: a case study of Makadara Probation Department, Nairobi
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Date
2012-02-27
Authors
Tum, Jelagat
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify the types of benefits that probationers achieve during their probationary period and the constraints that inhibits the realization of expected benefits. This thesis intended to find the rate of offenders who do not complete their probation term and the factors that lead to this non-completion.
The study went further and looked at the offender as the focus; the environment he or she is released into, his or her associates while on probation and how these affect completion rates. The study also incorporated probation Hostels which had not been examined by any other study.
This study employed a survey research design. Use of questionnaires and examination of records collected the data. The researcher used a question guide for examination of records to extract relevant information on absconders.
This study was carried out with a sample of 98 probationers and the views of 24 probation of officers were sought to better understand probation rehabilitation strategies and data collected.
The study found that most probationers are unemployed and that they also tend to come from stable families where they have both parents. The study established that most absconding probationers are employed and have family dependants. The type of crimes ranged from theft to rape, selling illegal brew or possessing illegal drugs. Many of these crimes were crimes of poor people who also resided in slums or in the middle of class zones of Buruburu, Umoja and so forth. Data analysis was done using descriptive analysis and the chi square technique.
The study established that factors which contribute to poor performance of probation services include: lack of home visits before and after pre-sentence reports, lack of office space for confidentiality when dealing with probationers, limited financial allocation by the government, inadequate in-service training, urgency of probationer's immediate material needs after release, unreliability of probationers due to limited supervision contact by probation staff and low morale among probation staff.
Description
The HV 9420.5.T8
Keywords
Probation--Kenya