An examination of special needs education aspects embedded in juvenile rehabilitation programmes in Kenya and the resultant rehabilitation outcomes
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Date
2014
Authors
Wambugu, Nyawira Beth
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Abstract
Juvenile rehabilitation in Kenya has experienced many changes and reforms since its
inception by the colonial government, in this view; the purpose of this study was to
examine the correction of offenders in juvenile rehabilitation institutions with the aim
of exploring the embedded special needs education aspects, and the resultant levels of
success versus recidivism. The objectives of the study were; to explore the policy
guiding juvenile rehabilitation in Kenya, to examine tools and procedures of assessing
offenders, to find out the curriculum for juvenile rehabilitation employed in Kenya, to
establish the transitional services available to exitees, and to investigate the status of
juvenile rehabilitation in relation to inclusive education. A mix of Phenomenology and
Descriptive Survey research designs were used to explore lived experiences of
juvenile offenders, and the current status in juvenile rehabilitation in Kenya
respectively. Data collection instruments comprised interview guides, questionnaire,
Focus Group Discussion guide, and Content Analysis guide. The study population
constituted approximately 1747 children, 9 Managers, 9 Children’s Officers, and 400
staff members from public juvenile rehabilitation institutions in Kenya. Kiambu and
Nairobi Counties were selected purposively because they hold the only two Reception
and Assessment Centres for either gender.In total, two rehabilitation institutions were
purposively selected from each county based on their functions and gender; they
included Kirigiti, Kabete, Getathuru and Dagoreti. The total research sample was 138
respondents who comprised, 54 boys, 36 girls, 4 managers, 4 Children’s Officers, and
40 staff members. A pilot study was done at Othaya Rehabilitation Institution to
establish validity and reliability of research instruments. Qualitative data analysis
utilising principles of thematic analysis, and descriptive statistics for quantitative data
were used in data analysis. The research findings indicate that the Children Act is the
main policy guiding juvenile rehabilitation, and that some international statutes to
which Kenya is a signatory have not been ratified. The assessment tools and procedure
for assessing juvenile offenders were found to be inadequate and lacking the capacity
to identify all causes of problem behaviour. The study show that children are assessed
by any officer on duty, regardless of their qualifications, this may lead to
misdiagnosis. The study revealed that there are no provisions on curriculum for
juvenile rehabilitation; consequently, each institution designs its own content. The
current exit strategies were found to be inadequate and unable to deter exitees from
reoffending. Other findings indicate that post-institutional phase of rehabilitation was
non-functional, resulting to recidivism levels of over 30%. The research shows
inclusive rehabilitation was practised for children with special needs who offend even
though this is occasioned by lack of appropriate rehabilitation school for children with
special needs. The study recommended improvementof juvenile rehabilitation
through formulation and review of policies, development of rehabilitation curriculum,
and assessment tools, provision of aftercare services, and through utilization of special
needs education practises in the overall function of rehabilitation institutions and
programmes. A framework for improvement of juvenile rehabilitation was developed.
Finally, the study ended with recommendations for further research.
Description
Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) Department of special needs education 189p. September, 2014. HV 9104 .B4