Role Of Internal Correction Procedures In Management Of Violent Misconduct Among Inmates In Nairobi County Prisons, Kenya

ABSTRACT Kenya Prisons Service has continuously undertaken reforms since the year 2001, with an aim of helping offenders to modify their behavior while in prison. Prison reforms focus on offender behavior modification through a correctional lens. Prisons are mandated by law to rehabilitate offenders through administration of rehabilitation programmes, which are the main intervention of correcting offenders in Kenyan prisons. Though prisons globally endeavor to correct offenders, there are occasional violent misconduct cases among inmates, which remain a major challenge in the modern prisons management systems. This misconduct has sometimes resulted in fatalities or injuries, or even enduring conflicts among the inmates. The purpose of the study was to establish how effective internal correction mechanisms are in dealing with the challenge of violent misconduct among inmates. A mixed method research approach incorporating both qualitative and quantitative research methods was carried out among prison officers and convicted offenders from Nairobi County Prisons. A descriptive study design was used to solicit the desired data. A representative sample of 111 participants was used for the study while 10% of the sample population was interviewed. Qualitative methods included semi-structured interviews while quantitative methods involved the use of questionnaires composing both structured and unstructured questions. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 25. The findings of the study indicated that there was a positive relationship between internal correction mechanisms and violent misconduct among inmates. Notably, internal disciplinary procedures, early release mechanisms and open door policy proved significant in management of violent misconduct among inmates in Nairobi county prisons. The recommendations of the study include having all stakeholders involved in development and implementation of internal correction mechanism; review of existing legislature and subject Kenya Prisons Service to scrutiny by a civilian independent oversight authority.