The Influence of Selected Factors on Desistance from Crime among Offenders under Probation in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

This study focused on selected factors influencing desistance from crime among offenders under probation in Nairobi County, Kenya. Specifically, this study examined the psychological factors and the social factors influencing desistance from crime. Routine Activities theory and Cognitive Transformation theory were used to inform this paper. Descriptive survey design was adopted in this study. There was a systematic random sampling of 111 respondents. Interview schedule were used to collect data from respondents. Collected data from the field was analyzed using SPSS. Main findings of the study indicated that the role of the individual's sense of self-esteem, self-respect, self-confidence and worthwhile were identified as has having a huge significant in promoting and sustaining desistance.  This study recommends that the probation and after care department need to put in place more effective programs that are multiple-model in addressing a variety of offender's problems and reinforce the role of the probation officer in motivating service users adopting strength based approaches which reinforce personal agency.