Influence of institutional reforms on employee job satisfaction; a case of Meru G.K prison in Meru County

Abstract

The Kenya Prisons Reforms initiated in 2001 with the pronouncement of open door policy, ushered in a fundamental shift in policy direction with a focus on systems, structural, programmatic, human resource development with the aim of adopting best practice which promote human rights based approaches, good governance and democracy in prisons management. . Prison reforms are not actually created to reduce criminal rate. Instead, these programs aim to reduce re-offences and enhancing good rehabilitations skills to the prison authorities. The programs have proved to be effective since the percentage of re-offences has dropped. The objectives include the following; To establish the influence of working conditions on job satisfaction. To determine the influence of leadership styles on job satisfaction of prison officers, to examine the influence of remuneration on job satisfaction of prison officers, to ascertain the influence of career development on job satisfaction of prison.

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of institution reforms on employee job satisfaction and specifically covering prison officers in Meru G.K Prison, the study was of significant to a number of stakeholders. The findings of the study was useful to the departmental policy makers, stakeholders, and decision makers in evaluating the effectiveness of the current prison reforms on job satisfaction among prison officers in Kenya.

The study adopted a descriptive research design. A descriptive research design portrayed an accurate profile of persons, events or situations. Descriptive research was adopted because it determined and reported the way things were in Meru G.K Prison. The target population was homogeneous as far as the ranking in the prison department was concerned; however it comprised of both male and female officers.

Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data will be analysed using content analysis method. The data analysed using statistical teols will then be presented using tables. Majority of the respondents indicated that their work was not fascinating. Other responses indicated that their work was fascinating. Majority of the respondents 46.5% indicated that remuneration highly influences their job satisfaction while others indicated that it slightly influences while others were neutral on whether remuneration highly influences or slightly influences their job satisfaction.

Majority (of the respondents described their leaders as not being trustworthy. The management of Kenya prison service should endeavour to improve the housing conditions of the prison warders by either building enough houses to accommodate each and every officer comfortably the management should keep up the good spirit of providing the officers with adequate uniforms in order to enhance their job satisfaction.