Rehabilitation of Children in Conflict With the Law: a Case of Shikusa Borstal Institution, Kakamega, Kenya

Abstract

Rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law is a key component in ensuring that these children do not revert to crime and as such are effectively enabled to fit in to society. The objectives of this study was to examine the rehabilitation of children at Shikusa Borstal Institution. The study is an explorative case study that utilized both secondary and primary data from Shikusa Borstal Institution. Secondary data was obtained from documented sources i.e. institutional reports and government records as part of the literature review. Primary data was obtained from a field research incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data collected at Shikusa Borstal Institution. The target population was children currently held at the Shikusa Borstal Institution, selected members of staff at the institutions, selected family members of discharged children and selected members of the local community. Both probability (stratified) and non-probability (opportunity) sampling were utilized to determine the final sample size. The study revealed that Shikusa Borstal Institution faces a number of challenges in fulfilling its mandate of rehabilitating children including insufficient resources and personnel, inadequate living environment and outdated laws. The recommendations of the study were that there is an urgent need to improve the institution to enable it offers more effective rehabilitation services for children in conflict with the law by enacting sound laws, provision of more funds to improve the living environment in the institution and also to equip and motivate the officers at the bortsal institution. In view of all the above findings, reintegrating children in conflict with the law will require a holistic approach that involves all key stakeholders and society at large.