Efficacy of Rehabilitation Programmes on Psychosocial Adjustment of Elderly Male Offenders in Kakamega Main Prison, Kenya

Abstract

The graying population is a global problem facing correctional institutions. Just like any other African countries, Kenya prisons have not been left out. The purpose of Kenya Prison Service is to provide rehabilitation programmes aimed at changing the criminal behaviour of offenders to become better citizens. The objective of the study was to determine the influence of educational and vocational programmes on psychosocial adjustment of the elderly male offenders inside prison in Kakamega Main Prison in Western Kenya. The literature reviewed included some rehabilitation programs from global, Africa and Kenya context. The study utilized qualitative and quantitative research methods. The target population comprised of 235 elderly offenders, 400 prison staff and 5 incharge officers. The sample size comprised of 50 elderly male offenders, 30 prison officers and 2 officers in charge sampled purposively. The study target were sampled and put in sub groups by use of stratified random sampling. The research instruments included interview schedule, questionnaires, and focused group discussion. Validity and Reliability of the instruments was determined by piloting the instruments in Shitkusa farm prison in Kakamega County. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics in form of percentages, frequencies by computing using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20. The findings indicated that there was need to revamp rehabilitation programmes targeting the criminogenic needs of elderly offenders so as to increase their level of participation in educational and vocational programmes. Findings also revealed that educational and vocational programmes influence was minimal since majority of the elderly offenders were found to be recidivists. The study recommended that rehabilitation of psychosocial adjustment of elderly offenders can be best achieved by reinstating parole and early release. It is hoped that the findings would assist correctional institutions and criminal justice to come up with policies and strategies useful in psychosocial adjustment of elderly offenders.