Selected psychosocial predictors of criminal behaviour among inmates in Kirinyaga county, kenya

Abstract

Criminal behaviour is not only a national concern but also a global concern due to its devastating effects not only to the inmates but also to the family members of the inmates. Criminal behaviour is the product of a systematic process that involves complex interactions between personal behaviour, interactions with the physical environment, other people, groups and institutions. Therefore, there is a highly significant association between criminal behaviour and psychological and social predictors. This has been due to underlying issues behind criminal behaviour including psychosocial predictors such as Emotional instability, self-esteem, stress, social disorganization and drugs and substance abuse which were also on increase in the society. This study therefore examined the psychosocial predictors of criminal behaviour among inmates in Kirinyaga county, Kenya. The study adopted the Cognitive behavioural therapy by Aaron Beck and modeling theory by Albert Bandura to explain the predictors of criminal behaviour. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Kirinyaga county has two prisons namely Kerugoya GK prison and Gathigiriri prison with a population of 500. Systematic sampling as well as simple random sampling procedure helped in selecting a total of 277 respondents comprising 267 inmates and 10 prison wardens. Questionnaires assisted in collection of data from prisoners while interview schedules were presented to the prison wardens. The findings from questionnaires presented quantitative data while findings from the interview schedules presented qualitative data. The research study was piloted in Embu GK prison, this was to ensure reliability where test-retest method was used and questionnaires were administered twice to test the reliability of the instruments. Pearson Product- Moment Correlation formula was incorporated during the calculation of correlation coefficient. A correlation coefficient of 0.85 was achieved from the questionnaires. Data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences version 22 and presented the findings using frequency distribution tables. The study found out that Emotional instability, self-esteem, stress, social disorganization and drugs and substance abuse predicted criminal behaviour among inmates in Kirinyaga county Kenya.It was concluded that frustration and failure to be appreciated by parents resulted to low selfesteem which in return leads to criminal behaviour as a way of seeking attention and proving ones worth, idleness and boredom were key causes of Emotional instability and crime like aggression, violence and assault. Most regular offenders were stressed and felt that they needed to be assisted from stress rather than being convicted as criminals. Community disorganization was a major cause of crime and therefore needs to be addressed and improved to reduce crime rates. Availability of drugs and substance abuse resulted in many people using them regularly leading to irrational and violent behaviour. The study recommends that the national and county government creates jobs to occupy majority of the young in the society, teachers and parents need to handle children in a way that helps them develop self-esteem, the government needs to facilitate basic guidance and counseling training to law enforcement officers inorder to help them address criminality psychologically rather than through imprisonment, the church needs to tailor their activities to address disorganization in the community and the county government in liaison with National Council Against Drug Abuse needs to limit licensing of bars as well as sensitizing the community on drug abuse.