| dc.description.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. | en_US |
