To Explore the Perceptions of 14-17-year-old Children Towards Rehabilitation Programs in Kirigiti Rehabilitation School.

Abstract

The number of crimes among children has increased at an alarming rate despite the efforts put by the Government to give interventions through the Department of children, churches and Non-Governmental organizations. The children Justice System in Kenya offer rehabilitation programs to child offenders and neglected children for a maximum of three years. Rehabilitation of these children is one of the main aim in ensuring that they become empowered with knowledge and skills which will help them become successful people in the future. The attitude of these children is also promoted and therefore they are able to solve their personal issues in their present and future life and they are also able to live a healthy lifestyle in the community after their release (Bradshaw and Rose borough, 2005). The study sought to explore on the perception of child offenders on rehabilitative programs in Kirigiti Rehabilitation school, Kiambu county, Kenya. The research objectives were to establish the existing rehabilitation programs, perception towards the rehabilitation programs and the outcomes of perceptions in Kirigiti Rehabilitation school Kiambu County, Kenya. The research will use qualitative design and some bit of Quantitive design with the application of psychoanalysis theory, cognitive therapy, Richard Gregory theory and narrative therapy to help me as the researcher achieve the research objectives as well as i answering the research questions. The target population for the study included all the children in the institution, welfare staffs, academic staff and vocational staff in the institution. The instruments used included interview guide questions, audio recordings and focus group discussions. Narrative inquiry was used in analyzing data and a framework was developed by identifying data that helped in answering the research questions. The findings revealed that children’s voice is very important and their views and opinions should be taken with a positive attitude so that they can be assisted in making their future brighter.