The Turbulent Cycle: When Hopelessness Breeds Recidivism

Moses (not his real name) sits outside looking into the distance as we talk. This is his third time being a guest of the state at the Eldoret GK Prison. Moses stole from his neighbor a month ago while everyone within the small compound he lived in was at work. He explains that he needed food and had thought long and hard before deciding to slaughter two of his neighbor’s chicken and make a meal for his family. Moses explains that he had left the prion facility a few months prior and had been unsuccessful in his job hunting. Additionally, his reputation made it difficult to get any job within the village including tilling people’s farms for a fee, which he considers one of his expert skills. Moses explains that even life in prison is certainly not for the faint-hearted and no one ever leaves the facility intent on going back. However, life outside prison often has numerous challenges, which often make incarceration feel like the lesser evil. Moses explains that the prison life offers free food, accommodation and sometimes friendships that make life bearable.

Moses’ case is similar to that of countless other incarcerated individuals across Kenyan prisons. Despite the state’s efforts in offering rehabilitation and skills training, the desperate environments that await the prisoners upon their release increase cases of recidivism. Omboto, Wairire and Chepkonga conducted a study on the profile of recidivists in Kenya focusing on Nairobi county prisons and found that approximately two thirds of prisoners return to the facilities creating a burden to most prisons across the County. The high levels of recidivism create challenges such as inadequate nutritional resources, cramped accommodation and inadequate healthcare services among others. Despite the sorry state of the facilities, the number of repeat offenders continues to rise.

The statistics make it necessary to reevaluate the factors contributing to recidivism in the country. Focus on tangible factors such as poverty, unemployment and inequality in access to resources and opportunities is common in research surrounding recidivism. However, it is necessary to consider the impact of intangible factors such as hope. Even though rehabilitation does aid in behavioral modification among prisoners during the incarceration period, creating systems that nurture hope through support upon their release, is likely to reduce the rate of recidivism across the country.

The interview with Moses revealed the need for support groups, temporary shelters and supportive work environments within most communities. Join CELSIR in creating and supporting such systems and creating hope for better lives among prisoners who prove ready to transform their lives positively.

Article by Ivy Ndindi 

Strategy and Innovations Director, CELSIR