Effect of counselling on recidivism of prison inmates in Nakuru government prison, Kenya

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of counselling on the recidivism of prison inmates in Nakuru Government prison. This study was guided by the Social Control Theory. The study population was 100 recidivists from Nakuru prison. The Census method was used to reach the study population. A questionnaire was used as the data collection tool. The pilot study was conducted for the purpose of testing the tools' reliability before they were adopted for the actual research. Quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), and the qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Since this is sensitive research, the ethical considerations for such studies were observed throughout the study. The study findings revealed that counselling played a minimal role in enabling prisoners to overcome psychological challenges. The study concluded that counselling does not play a more significant role in reducing recidivism among inmates. Counselling does not help prisoners overcome psychosocial challenges that may trigger criminal behaviour. Enhancement of counselling should be done for it to be helpful to prisoners by reducing recidivism. The study concluded that enhancement of counselling and spiritual rehabilitations should be done.