Determination of Sequence of Behaviour Change among Children at Risk in Juvenile Rehabilitation Centres in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine sequence of behaviour change among children at risk in juvenile rehabilitation centres within Nairobi County, Kenya. The target population was all the children and managers of Juvenile rehabilitation Centres in Nairobi County. This consisted of 380 boys, 160 girls, 8 managers in Kabete and Getathuru and 4 managers in Dagorreti rehabilitation Centre, all making a total of 552 respondents.  Children at risk in Juvenile rehabilitation Centres within Nairobi County were sampled using probability and non-probability sampling techniques. To obtain a manageable sample from the target population, convenience, purposive, stratified random and systematic random sampling techniques were used respectively. Questionnaires, interview schedules and focus groups were used in the study as tools for data collection. Data collected was entered, coded and analyzed using inferential statistics and SPSS. The qualitative data was organized, analyzed and reported into emerging themes. The study found out that rehabilitation of children at risk in Juvenile rehabilitation Centres was not adequate. Educationists were left out during assessment, classification, referral and exit stages despite their rich expertise in rehabilitation. The analysis of programmes applied scored below average in terms of behaviour change. Transitional programmes were inadequate. The researcher recommended a multidisciplinary team in Educational Assessment and Referral Centres before entry into the regular schools. That all the Juvenile Rehabilitation Centres be moved from Ministry of Labour and Social Services and be placed under the Ministry of Education which has adequate personnel required to rehabilitate a child.

Keywords: Children at risk, Juvenile, Rehabilitation, Juvenile Rehabilitation Centres, and Delinquency.