John Onyango Omboto, a Crime and Offender Rehabilitation expert is a Criminology and Security Studies Lecturer at Egerton University. He holds a Master of Arts Degrees in Criminology, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Public Administration, and a Distinction Diploma in Criminology and Social Order all from the University of Nairobi. John served Kenya Prisons Service as a senior officer for over ten years before venturing into full time university teaching. Besides Egerton University, he has taught Criminology, Security Management and Sociology courses at the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, and Mount Kenya University. At Dedan Kimathi University of Technology he served as the head of Criminology and Security Management department.
Onyango Omboto has a special interest in Criminology and Security Studies; in these broad areas he has published several research and academic papers in peer reviewed journals. In addition he has two books under his name: Challenges Facing the Control of Drugs and Substance Abuse in Prisons-ISBN 978-3-659-46266-5, and Readings in Criminology and Security Studies: A compilation of Journal Papers- ISBN 978-9966-814-69-2. John has also developed several learning modules for different universities in Kenya, in addition to supervision and examination of various MA theses. He was among the experts contracted by Kenyatta University in the year 2019 to developed training curricula and modules for all cadres of Rwanda Correctional Service staff, and was part of a seven member team who launched the training in Kigali on request by the Rwandan Government.
Abstract
The study was designed to establish if there is a connection between the initial punishment and recidivism. Its objectives were to ascertain the profiles of recidivists, investigate the typology and severity of recidivists’ crimes, and establish control strategies for recidivism in Kenya. The study reviewed literature on fundamental themes and was guided by deterrence theory of punishment, as well as strain and labelling theories of crime. The research participants who were purposively selected comprised of 167 respondents, 17 focus group discussion members, and 27 key informants. Both primary and secondary data were collected by the study, and quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques were utilized.
The study established that there is no significant link between the initial punishment and recidivism since other factors such as poverty are responsible for the vice. It also established that recidivists are from lower social class, young adults and individuals under 40 years who are illiterate or semi-illiterate, and mostly in non-marital relationships. In addition, convicts who abuse alcohol and drugs have a higher propensity to reoffend. It also emerged that male recidivists graduate from petty crimes to felonies unlike their female counterparts who generally commit the same petty offences with reconvictions.
On control strategies, it was established that petty first-time offenders should be awarded community based punishments instead of imprisonment to curtail contamination and institutionalization while for known recidivists, individual based strategies are vital to take care of their unique needs. Other effective measures are community acceptance of ex-convicts, and economic empowerment.
Research Supervisors
- Prof Gidraph Wairire (PhD)
- Dr Mike Chepkong’a (PhD)
Important Links
- Google Scholar
- Research gate