Effectiveness of Reintegration Among Parolees Released Under Prison Decongestion Programme Due to COVID-19 Outbreak in Prisons in Kakamega County, Kenya

Abstract

This paper sought to develop an integrated approach that specifically targets successful re-entry of parolees upon release from prisons under Prison Decongestion programme due to COVID-19 outbreak in prisons. The paper sought to establish strategies utilized by the correctional managers in reintegration of parolees on Prison decongestion programme during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study adopted mixed methods approach. Questionnaires, interview schedules and guiding questions for focus group discussions were used to collect information from community members, parolees and correctional managers respectively. Thematic analysis was employed in analyzing qualitative data while descriptive statistics were generated from quantitative data. Findings revealed that skills training, behavioural counseling, formal education, agriculture and religious training were the strategies utilized by correctional managers in reintegration of parolees released on Prison decongestion programme during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kakamega County. In light of the study findings the development of a community participation model for reintegration of Parolees has been proposed where collaboration and networking between state and non-state actors will be used to create synergy in the resettlement, reintegration, rehabilitation and empowerment of parolees released on prison decongestion programme due to Covid-19 outbreak.

Keywords: Reintegration, Parolees, Prison Decongestion, COVID-19

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/134-11

Publication date:July 31^st 2023