Influence of Correctional Facility Environment on Juvenile Recidivism

Abstract

Juvenile crime and the problem of juvenile recidivism are on the increase in Kenya. Most of adult offenders are also noted to have begun their criminal behaviours in their juvenile years, making the need to contain criminality to be so glaring at the moment. The rate at which juveniles are recidivating in Kenya is alarming while the root causes are yet to be determined. The Government of Kenya introduced rehabilitation institutions to deal with rehabilitation of child offenders and prevent them from recidivating. While statistics indicate juvenile crime and recidivism to be on the increase, studies on the phenomenon of recidivism among juveniles in correctional institutions in Kenya are scanty. The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of socio-demographic characteristics on recidivism among juveniles in rehabilitation institutions in Kiambu and Kirinyaga counties of Kenya. The study objectivewas to establish the influence of correctional facility environment on juvenile recidivism. The study was based on Robert Merton’s 1938 strain theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The target population for the study was 333 juvenile recidivists and 60 correctional staff in Wamumu and Kirigiti rehabilitation schools in Kirinyaga and Kiambu counties of Kenya respectively. The data for the study was collected by use of questionnaires, Focused Group Discussion, in-depth interview schedules and document analysis and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Pilot study was carried out to ascertain the reliability of the instruments by use of test retest technique at 0.8 reliability index, while experts assisted in determining the content validity of the instruments. The study suggested a correlational study to determine if a statistical relationship exists between Correctional Facility Environment and Juvenile Recidivism.

Keywords: Correctional Facility, Environment,  Juvenile Recidivism

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/87-01

Publication date:July 31^st 2019