The role of pastoral programs and activities in rehabilitating long-term Christian inmates in western Kenya counties

Abstract

About 75 % of those incarcerated in prisons globally are found to have committed crimes for the second, third or more times. Recent statistics show that prisons are full of former inmates who find reintegration back to the free society. In Kenya, pastoral programs, and activities (PPA) are some of the measures that the government of Kenya uses to reform and rehabilitate criminals into law-abiding citizens. However, despite these PPA, the problem of recidivism persists. Theoretical explanation of this persistence is limited, as seen in the erratic systematic research on the role of PPA in rehabilitating inmates in Kenya. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to investigate the role of PPA in Rehabilitating Long-Term Christian Inmates (LTCI) in Western Kenya Counties (WKC). The study specifically sought to; ascertain the current situation of Chaplaincy in the prisons of WKC, establish the operational strategies of WKC Prisons in inmate rehabilitation, determine the role of chaplains in the rehabilitation of inmates and explore the perception of inmates on the PPA. Rehabilitative Needs Theoretical Framework of PPA for inmates was adopted to frame the study. The study area was prisons of WKC of Bungoma, and Busia, Kakamega (Kakamega Main, Kakamega Women, Shikusa Borstal and Shikusa Farm) and Vihiga. Vihiga prison was not used in the study because it lacked LTCI. Busia was used for piloting. The study population was 3484 inmates, where 1314 were LTCI. Descriptive surveys that employed both quantitative and qualitative approaches to the study were used. Stratified and random sampling procedures were used to select 324 LTCI from 5 prisons. Purposive sampling was used to select 5 officers in charge of 5 prisons and 22 chaplains from the 5 prisons giving a total sample of 351 respondents. To explore the extent to which PPA have succeeded in the rehabilitation of inmates, the study used secondary and primary sources of data. Secondary data was obtained from published and unpublished literature whereas primary data was sought using instruments such as structured questionnaires, oral interviews, Focus Group Discussions, and observation methods. The validity and reliability of the instruments used were verified by experts from the School of Arts and Social Sciences as well as a pilot study which was conducted in Busia County prison. Qualitative data from interviews, focus group discussions, and observations were transcribed and organized into themes and sub-themes in an ongoing process as data unfolded. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study showed that the prisons of WKC had a majority of chaplains who were untrained and unordained hence negatively affecting the rehabilitation of inmates. Different operational strategies were present but were not being properly implemented to achieve rehabilitation of inmates. Also, the study found that PPA such as spiritual nourishment, guidance and counselling played a critical role in the rehabilitation of inmates but were hampered by unqualified personnel, poor working and living conditions and lack of spiritual materials for inmates Finally, the study revealed that inmates have mixed perceptions of various PPA, and activities presented to them. The study concluded that there are various PPA, and activities used in the rehabilitation of inmates in WKC prison but were poorly managed and hence not effective in the rehabilitation of inmates. The study recommends that there is a need to improve prison living and working conditions for the success of rehabilitation programs and activities, train and deploy qualified chaplains and provide inmates with materials and facilities for PPA as well incorporate the opinions of LTCIs in service delivery. The study findings are significant since they contribute knowledge by supporting correctional justice planners in coming up with better policies to address the rehabilitation of inmates. Philosophically there is need to reconceptualize the Dannerup conceptual framework to cost effectively utilize available resources to achieve rehabilitation. The study recommends an investigation on rehabilitation programs post-release as well as the role of prison guards in the rehabilitation of prisoners