Inmates’and Warders’ Perception of Prison Reforms in Kenya: A Case of Eldoret Gk Prison, in Eldoret, Kenya

Abstract

Prison reforms in Kenyan prisons were introduced to address human rights issues in prisons and to turn Kenyan Prisons from punishment, torment and humiliation institutions to correctional and rehabilitation facilities. Prison reforms in Kenya started in the year 2003.This study sought to investigate the perception of inmates and warders on prison reforms at Eldoret GK prison, Kenya. The study intended to find out the perception of prison warders because they are the policy implementers on the ground. It was the author’s observation that no one had attempted to find out how these two parties perceive the reforms and yet the success of these reforms depends on their perception. The study was based on Carl Rogers Self Theory (2000).  The study adopted a quantitative method with Survey and causal comparative research designs.  Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 310 participants for the study. Data was collected by use of biographical form and questionnaires. Data was analyzed by both descriptive and inferential statistics by use of SPSS computer programme, Version IS.0. The study found that the inmates generally had a positive perception of prison reforms. Compared to the inmates, warders had a more positive perception of prison reforms.  The study recommends that more is done on the reforms that target the inmates so as to improve the inmates' overall perception of the prison reforms.

Keywords: Inmates, Warders, Perception, Prison Reforms.