| dc.description.abstract | Recidivism is a global problem which directly influences crime levels in several countries with the attendant negative effects. Plenty of studies have been conducted on various aspects of this phenomenon particularly on its causes and effects, however, not many such studies, particularly in Kenya, have focused on the possible influence of the first punishment recidivists receive during the initial conviction. This study was therefore designed to establish if there is a connection between the initial punishment and recidivism from the viewpoint of the concerned convicts and professionals. Its specific objectives were to ascertain the profiles of recidivists, investigate the typology and severity of recidivists’ crimes with reconviction, and prescribe the treatment which would suit first time convicts and the recidivists as a control strategy for the vice. The study reviewed literature based on fundamental themes on recidivism, and punishment; among the many areas covered are evolution of penology from punishment to corrections, rehabilitation requirements for various types of offenders, challenges facing rehabilitation of convicts, personal traits of recidivists, and ethical considerations in treatment and punishment of convicts. The theoretical framework is anchored on the deterrence theory of punishment, as well as strain and labeling theories of crime.
The study respondents were drawn from Kamiti Maximum Security Prison and Langata Women Prison. It utilized purposive sampling of 167 respondents, 17 of whom participated in focus group discussions (FGDs), and 27 key informants who comprised of 19 prison officers, 4 probation officers and another 4 police officers. Quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques and analysis were utilized in the study. The primary sources of data were questionnaires, FGDs, and key informant interviews. Secondary data was also collected from the recidivists’ records at the prison institutions and the courts.
The study found out that the extent of recidivism in Kenya cannot be easily ascertained due to the presence of non-documented recidivists in prison institutions. The study also established that there is no significant link between the initial punishment and recidivism since other factors such as poverty and peer pressure are responsible for the vice. It also established that recidivists are members of the lower social class, young adults and individuals under 40 years, illiterate or semi-illiterate, and mostly in non-marital relationships. In addition to these characteristics, the
study established that convicts who abuse alcohol and drugs have a higher propensity to reoffend. It was also established that criminal severity increases with reconviction among male recidivists who graduate from petty crimes to felonies unlike their female counterparts who generally commit the same petty offences with reconvictions.
The study, therefore, recommends that the best strategy of controlling recidivism is by ensuring that petty first-time offenders are awarded community based punishments instead of imprisonment to curtail contamination and institutionalization. For reformation and rehabilitation of known recidivists, it is essential to put in place individual based strategies to take care of their unique needs before the beginning of any intervention. Further to this, for their effective resettlement after incarceration, a pre-discharge investigation should be conducted on the needs of each recidivist before the actual release into the community. Community acceptance of ex-convicts is also vital to diminish the possibility of recidivism. Finally, the study suggests that researches be conducted on the factors responsible for the presence of non-documented recidivists in Kenya, and the impact of non-documented recidivism on trial and rehabilitation of offenders. | en_US |
