Control And Training Of Youthful Offenders In Kenya: The Case Of Kamiti Youth Correction And Training Centre, 1990 – 2017.

Abstract

This study is set out to examine the control and training of youthful offenders in Kenya. The case study was Kamiti Youth Correction and Training Center. Recidivism, which is a serious drain on resources worldwide has been the subject of much research and policy development. Young offenders are often forgotten or ignored by the society and yet recidivism. Education helps offenders reduce recidivism and improves employability. The Specific objectives were to examine programmes offered at Kamiti Youth Correction and Training Centre, to examine the challenges facing Kamiti Youth Correction and Training Centre Programmes and to examine the impact of programmes offered at Kamiti Youth Correction and Training Centre. The study sought to establish the components programme, the structures put in place to implement it, its effectiveness and the Constraints it faced from 1990 to 2017. The year 1990 has been chosen because it was at that time the Kamiti prison pioneered this programme. The year 2017 marked the inauguration of a new strategic plan for the KPS, hence the need to undertake the place of young offenders in the department projections. The study adopted the social control approach and the labeling theory also known as social reaction theory which was developed by sociologist Howard Becker. It holds that deviance is not a characteristic of an activity but rather a product of the linguistic tendency of those with power and influence to negatively label minorities or those seen as deviant from norms. Social control is derived from functionalism theories of crime and was developed by Ivan Nye. The theory therefore supports the concept of rehabilitation, the social contracts that are in existence within the society seek to constrain deviant behavior and limit individual’s propensity of committing deviant behavior, through the society forming means of making those whose behavior is deviant tore the line. It emphasizes the process of socialization and social learning that builds self-control, thus reducing the risk of engaging in behaviour that is frowned upon by society. This theory whose foundation is inclined towards rehabilitation outlined those steps that are employed to achieve rehabilitation in youthful offenders as an aspect of social control. The study observed lack of resources as one of the major obstacle hindering effective training of the inmates as well as shortage of modern training equipments and facilities for training. There is inadequate skilled personnel and in most cases the department depend on outsourced experts. The study also observed that the institution lacks some of the important vocational programmes like electrical wiring, masonry, catering, and sports among others which can be very helpful to the inmates. There is need to strengthen the formal education for the benefit of the inmates. In most cases the institution does not meet the goals and objectives of its mandate and especially to the youthful offenders.