Factors Influencing Recidivism in Homa~Bay District, Homa-Bay County, Kenya

Abstract

Recidivism is a global phenomenon that afflicts all societies and cultures. Despite the fact that prisoners are expected to reform after serving sentences, the number of recidivists continues to rise. In Kenya, the rate of recidivism has greatly increased over the last decade despite efforts by government and the prison departments to work with and rehabilitate the prisoners while in custody serving sentence. Nearly two thirds of prisoners in Kenya re-offend within two years of release. Prisoners serve their terms; they are released and taken back to society. It is not clearly understood the factors that compel ex-convicts to re-offend after leaving prison. This study sought to examine the factors influencing recidivism in Homa-Bay District. Specifically the study sought to, examine the social factors that influence recidivism; investigate the economic factors that influence recidivism; and the challenges facing correctional systems in fostering recidivism in Homa-Bay District. The study adopted the labeling theory by Becker to help understandhow labels shape human behavior. The study area was in Homa-Bay District. The study population included all the re-offenders in Homa-Bay G.K Prison. The re-offenders were sampled purposively. The sample size of 84 re-offenders was used. Data collection methods included Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to the 84 re-offenders in prison, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) composed of 30 respondents were conducted for the reoffenders who were not literate. Three key informant interviews were conducted with community leaders and government officials such as magistrates, prison officers and police officers who deal with crime issues. The community leaders and government officials were sampled purposively. The data was analyzed quantitatively using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and the results were presented using frequency and percentage tables, graphs,as well as reports and texts. The data was also analyzed qualitatively by use of content analysis. This involved going through the data collected, sentence by sentence, identifying recurringthemes and coding them. The findings of the research were that social factors such as stigma,community's negative attitude and perception of the released prisoners, strenuous family ties after having served time in prison and abuse of drugs and alcohol played a major role in influencing recidivism in Homa-Bay District. Economic factors such as poverty and unemploymentinfluenced recidivism the most. Challenges such as insufficient funds for prisons and lack of cooperation between the prison and other system holders have also contributed to recidivism.In conclusion the factors that influenced recidivism are both social and economic in nature. Further, that the challenges faced by correctional systems fostered recidivism. The recommendations are that there is need for clear re-integration strategies during release of prisoners into their respective communities and families. There is need for sensitization programs to be commenced at the community level with a view of educating the public to perceive offenders positively upon release from prison. Youth unemployment should be mitigated by the State to ensure that the youth can sustain themselves and assist in the eradicationof poverty. Also, more non-governmental agencies should join the government in the fight against drugs and alcohol abuse. Lastly, there is need for allocation of sufficient resources at the various prisons in Kenya to enable rehabilitation systems to carry out their duties more appropriatelyand effectively.