Interventions Employed by the Prisons Chaplaincy in Enhancing Rehabilitation of Prisoners in Kenya

Abstract

The study sought to evaluate interventions employed by the chaplaincy in enhancing the rehabilitation of prisoners at Embu Women Prison (EWP) and Kamiti Maximum Prison (KMP). Despite chaplaincy-based interventions, the prisoner population has continued to escalate unabatedly, weakening the economic and socio-political fabric of the nation’s development. Some critics have perceived this as evidence of non-engagement of chaplaincy in rehabilitation and socio-reintegration. The research design used was descriptive research. Primary and secondary data were collected and analysed. The study was informed by Reconstruction Theology and Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory. Purposive, random, stratified random and snowball samplings were used to sample 290 respondents from a target population of 4,178. Data was presented in percentages, tables, pie charts and graphs. Qualitative data were analysed thematically, coded and processed. The study concludes that despite attempted interventions by chaplaincy in rehabilitating prisoners, there still exists an escalating prisoner population and recidivism coupled with moral decadence. The study recommends an integrated intervention model employing restitution, mediation, reintegration and acceptance to support offenders’ reform agenda. The provisions of law warrant resources for chaplaincy to enhance acquiring relevant skills to enhance rehabilitation and transitions of released prisoners into community. Further, the competency should be focused towards rehabilitating prisoners and reducing reoffending.