The effect of correctional institutions on control of juveniles delinquency in Kenya: the case of Kabete and Dagoreti rehabilitation Centres, Nairobi.

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to investigate and establish the response of correctional institutions on control of juvenile delinquency in Kenya. It has been observed that Rehabilitation centers are meant to make effective rehabilitation function, but there is a challenge of increased juvenile Delinquency. The study has five specific objectives which include: to establish the Magnitude of juvenile Delinquency, to underscore the importance of committing juveniles delinquents to the correctional institutions, to examine the methods used in correctional institutions to minimize delinquency, to find out if the resources in the correctional institutions responsible to juvenile delinquent are adequate to carry out their mandate, and establish the effect of correctional institution to curb juvenile delinquency. The research questions were derived from these specific objectives. The study adopted Descriptive survey research design, using a cross-sectional survey design from cohort of respondents. The target population of the study was the institutional staff and the juveniles who had been committed in the institution for two years and above. Systematic sampling was used to select a sample of 100 juveniles using their list as a sampling frame. Sample size of staff members was 6 members. The questionnaire, focus group and interview guide was used to collect data. The questionnaire and focus group discussion guide was used to the juveniles. The interview guide was used to interview the key informants. The data was coded and grouped according to the objectives of the study. The major findings are that, study indicated that the juveniles were admitted in the rehabilitation where they were taken through a process of rehabilitation, which include: counselling, formal education, vocational training, fashion and design, life skill training, spiritual welfare and Agriculture. Vocational training was found more necessary to address their anti-social behaviour. It equipped them with skills that would provide them with job opportunity. Vocational training included: masonry. Carpentry and joinery, Agriculture, Tailoring and Dress making, Bakery and Electrical all were skill training programmes. The findings indicated that the institutions are responding in a way that is helping to control juvenile delinquency in Kenya in spite of inadequate teaching staff and stationeries, The study recommended that the government should recruit enough staff in the institutions to enable control of juvenile delinquency. Vocational training being the most important course to the juveniles that equip them with skills to get employment should be given more focus. All lessons should be taught to both boys and girls because the society today has no gender role. Effort should be made to provide enough stationeries, classrooms and dormitories to the juveniles. Beddings should be improved. Severe punishment should not be given to the children because it is inflicting the children’s rights. All the institutions that the researcher visited children were caned severely and punished by sending them in the institution farm during class time. The institutions were well managed, rules and regulations were followed that assisted in guiding the juveniles in everyday life. Hair and dressing to be taught at the Institution especially for the girls. None of the institution was taught saloon issues yet the juveniles liked it.