Health Related Reforms as a Predictor of Change of Behavior Among Inmates. A Study of Correctional Facilities in Kenya

Abstract

This study focused on health related reforms on change of behavior of inmates in correctional facilities in Kenya. The study was based on the following objective; to examine how health related reforms influences change of behavior of inmates in correctional facilities in Kenya. The study tested one alternate hypothesis on whether the relationship among the study variable was significant. The target population was 10,111 individuals spread as 2,953 prison officers and 7,158 inmates. From this population a sample was drawn using a formula totaling to 385 individuals who were picked for the study. The sample was spread accordingly as 112 prison officers and 273 inmates. Purposive sampling was used to select officers’ in-charge and their deputies. Twelve prison officers on duty were picked randomly from duty roster using prime numbers for focus group discussion from each prison. A separate list of long term prisoners was compiled from the records of capital offence and other offences who have served jail term of over ten years or have been in remand for ten years and then the sample size was picked in proportionate to the population in each prison institution from the list. Primary data was gathered by a semi-structured questionnaire, an interview schedule and focus group discussion from the target population. Secondary data was gathered through analyzing relevant documents. The study incorporated quantitative and qualitative approaches to process, analyze, and interpret the data. The SPSS was applied to run analyses for percentages, frequency distributions, and measures of central tendency, where applicable. Descriptive statistics were computed for variable using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Statistical tools used for inferential statistic were person’^s product moment correlation(r), simple regression, multiple regression and step wise regression (R^2). T-tests were used to test hypothesis in the study the results revealed that r=0.429,t=5.189, at p=0.000<0.05. H₁was confirmed and concluded that health reforms had a statistically significant influence on change of behavior of inmates in correctional facilities in Kenya. Findings of the study are expected to assist government policy makers regarding formulation and implementation of the prison reforms. The serving inmates may benefit from the improved prison environment which will be aligned with market preference and whose content may benefit the community.

Keys terms : Health related reforms, change of behavior, inmates, correctional facilities

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/91-13

Publication date: November 30^th 2019