OUTCOMES OF REINTEGRATION PROCESS ON BEHAVIOR CHANGE AMONG JUVENILE EX-OFFENDERS RELEASED FROM REHABILITATION CENTERS IN KENYA
Keywords:
Rehabilitation Centers, Juvenile, Reintegration, Behavior ChangeAbstract
Purpose: Rehabilitation Centers (RCs) play are key for effectiveness of social cohesion procedures mostly on juvenile reintegration processes and behavioral change. The reintegration model adopted by rehabilitation centers is may be affected by unavoidable social dynamics, which inadvertently influence the degree of behavioral change. Consequently, this study analyzes the results of the reintegration process on behavior change among juvenile ex-offenders released from rehabilitation centers in Kenya.
Methodology: The study employed a qualitative research methodology whereby a descriptive survey design was implemented. The study constituted a purposive sample of ten (10) juvenile ex-offenders, seven (7) rehabilitation center managers, ten (10) immediate relatives of juvenile ex-offenders, and ten (10) community leaders. Qualitative data was availed by deploying interviews and observation guides while thematic analysis technique was implemented to analyze the data, which was then tabulated. The study also implemented open questionnaires and is qualitative data.
Findings: According to the information availed by the study, Majority of the ex-offenders 8 (80%) agreed that the skills they acquired were useful and they rely on the skills acquired to earn income while the rest 2(20%) felt the skills did not benefit them in any way. Majority 8 (80%) said they were happy after reintegration while 2(20%) of Juveniles were unhappy. Additionally, the study determined that rehabilitation centers in Kenya have no holistic system of juvenile reintegration. Consequently, the study pointedly determined that the reintegration process adopted by rehabilitation centers in Kenya induce little effect on behavior change among juvenile ex-offenders.
Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study is theoretically relevant and progressive. The study is particularly feasible because it succinctly points to new and actionable, as well as restorative measures, which can improve the effectiveness of reintegration process on juvenile behavioral change in Kenya. The study is also robust in terms of policy relevance as it refurbishes existing policies in order to ensure the efficacy of juvenile reintegration. The policy shifts include increased allocation of fiscal resources to meet the exigencies of rehabilitation centers, adoption of holistic reintegration procedures, and enactment of tenable reintegration follow-up processes.
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