Determinants Of Performance In Service Delivery Of Uniformed Officers Of Correctional Service: A Case Study Of Bungoma Correctional Service

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the determinants of performance in service delivery of uniformed officers of correctional service.A case of study in Bungoma correctional service. The study was guided by the following objectives; to assess how management influence uniformed officers performance in the correctional service, to assess how employee resourcing influence uniformed officers performance in the correctional service, to establish the influence of training on uniformed officer‟s performance in correctional service; to establish the influence of working environment of performance to the uniformed officers of the correctional service to establish the influence of compensation on uniformed officers performance in correctional service; to explore the influence of service ranks and leadership on uniformed officers performance in correctional service. The study adopted descriptive survey design which was used to obtain information through describing the existing phenomenon. The estimated sample size was 108. Stratified random sampling was used in the study with departments forming relevant strata. Content validity was provided by the researcher sharing the research instrument with the supervisors. Split-half method was employed to test the reliability of the instrument. A structured questionnaire was collected after three days. Bungoma correctional service has a total number of 325 officers. 108 respondents participated in the study and only 103 questionnaires were correctly filled and used for analysis. The data collected was checked for completeness and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results for quantitative data was be presented in tables and factual statements. It is believed that the findings from the sample were a representative of the situation in the department of correctional service to reliable degree. Data was analyzed using Microsoft excel as well as manual methods and presented in form of tables, mean, percentage and factual statements. The study findings indicated the critical factors influencing uniformed officers performance in its department include; employee resourcing that was slow, less transparent, and interfered by external influence; poor training especially job rotation; and lack of performance rewards and incentives. The study was to recommend introduction of performance related pay system and stringent employee resourcing controls. Further studies was proposed on factors influencing uniformed officer‟s performance on other government bodies other than correctional services and also a study on factors influencing corruption in the public sector. Majority of the respondents 37% agreed that they felt achieved in their career because the correctional service reward system had enabled them handle challenging projects and tasks which had contributed to building their work experience and career ambitions. The majority of the respondents 41% agreed that the correctional service managers always gave a clear picture of what to do, when and how to do the work they assigned to them .The study established that that uniforms, houses, and working equipment is the major environmental working condition that positively contributes towards job performance in the correctional Service. The study also revealed that knowledge and skills for uniformed officers have a profound effect on provision of right job competencies that have a far-reaching impact on job performance. Training and development programs help the officers to adapt the technological advancement and provide right skill and competencies in performing their duties