The Influence of Probation Orders on the Reformation of Offenders in Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract: Legislation provides for petty offenders to be placed on non-custodial sentences as opposed to incarceration in Kenya. However, there exists scanty empirical evidence in Nakuru County on how probation orders is contributing to probation sentences against a backdrop of persons who have committed crimes being placed on probation every year. This study aimed at examining the influence of probation orders on the reformation of offenders in Nakuru County Kenya. This study was informed by Classical Theory, Risk-need-responsivity (RNR) model and Social Control Theory. This study was carried out in Nakuru County whose ratio of petty offenders to serious offenders is significantly large. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and a mixed research approach. A total of 229 probationers, 16 probation officers and 19 chiefs constituted the study population. Stratified, purposive and random sampling techniques were used to arrive at the sample size which was 92 made up of 76 probationers, 7 chiefs, and 6 probation officers, sub-populations in the main study. Questionnaires were primarily used to collect quantitative data from probationers while the interview schedule was instrumental in the collection of qualitative data from key informants, the probation officers, and the chiefs. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (for frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (correlation and regression between the independent and the dependent variable). This was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results of the foregoing analyses were presented in tabular form. The study concludes that probation orders are important for the effective implementation of probation including a display of good behavior on the side of the probationer, reporting monthly, and dissociation with persons of questionable behavior. The Government agencies (the judiciary, the local administration, and the Probation and After Care Services P&AS) Department should include opportunities for employment for probationers to increase the success rate of reformation. The study findings could be useful to probation departments in Kenya and more so Nakuru County Kenya. Further, the findings could inform government policymakers on probation sentencing in formulation policies and reconciliation of offenders within the community. 

Keywords: Probation Orders, Reformation, Offenders.

Title: The Influence of Probation Orders on the Reformation of Offenders in Nakuru County, Kenya

Author: Grace N. Kimani, Erick Kiprono Bor, Samwel Auya

International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research 

ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)

Vol. 11, Issue 4, October 2023 - December 2023

Page No: 164-170

Research Publish Journals

Website: www.researchpublish.com

Published Date: 28-October-2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10057613

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