Analysis of Pottery Production for rehabilitation of Women Prisoners in Kenya

Abstract

ABSTRACT In developed countries studies show that pottery is used in prisons as a tool for rehabilitation as it encourages self-expression, assist inmates to adjust to the prison environment and prepare inmates for release and employment. However, like most of the African countries, existing studies on pottery in Kenya have not focused on women prisons, especially as one of the rehabilitative tools. As much as studies indicate that pottery is one of the key players in rehabilitation of prisoners, little is known regarding techniques of production, the quality of pottery and barriers to pottery production in prisons. The situation limits the ability to investigate and provide the necessary facts behind pottery as practiced in women prisons in Kenya. The purpose of this study was to investigate pottery production for rehabilitation of women prisoners in Kenya. Specifically, the study investigated the techniques used in pottery production for rehabilitation of women prisoners in Kenya, assessed the quality of pottery products in addressing the rehabilitation of women prisoners in Kenya and examined the barriers to pottery production for effective rehabilitation in women prisons in Kenya. This study was guided by Vygotsky‟s Art and Creativity Theory as informed by Lindqvist (2003). The major tenet of this theory is that all human beings are creative and that creativity is the foundation of art as well as of science and technology. Multi-case design guided the study. The study areas were Lang‟ata, Kisii, and Kakamega women prisons. These are the only prisons that engage in pottery in Kenya. A pilot study was done in Kakamega women prison because it had the least number of inmate potters. A total of 36 respondents formed the population of the study which included inmates, Officers-in-Charge of prisons and illustrators. Purposive sampling technique was used to sample 2 Officers-in-Charge, 4 illustrators and 30 inmates who engage in pottery. The fieldwork component of the study involved qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. Qualitative data was collected using interviews, focus group interviews and an observational tool and analyzed through coding to generate themes relevant to the objectives. Results were presented in resultant themes and written report. Findings indicated that prisons gave basic skills training in pottery. The findings show that the forming techniques applied by the inmates were inadequate and not varied. The popular techniques practiced in prisons were coil and moulding techniques. Other techniques applied by inmates were pinch, slab and ball techniques. Inmates who had stayed longer in prison were able to engage in more techniques. Data on quality of products revealed that quality was low in terms of forming, decoration and finishing and the pottery products lacked diversification. It was evident that pottery in prison faces barriers majorly: inadequate materials, equipment, inappropriate teaching methods; lack of refresher training for illustrators. It was concluded that training should be geared towards the use of modern technology; this will encourage more number of inmates in pottery. The study recommended that authorities concerned with prisons should allocate adequate funding to improve facilities in the pottery section; illustrators should have more training and encourage more inmates to enroll in pottery programme. It is hoped that this study will enrich the body of knowledge as well as assist the government and prison institutions to come up with policies and strategies useful in rehabilitation of women inmates in preparation for release back into the society.