An Assessment on the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs in reducing recidivism rates among offenders in Zimbabwe: a case study of Kariba prison (2024-2025).
- Author
- Chihuri, Ignatius
- Title
- An Assessment on the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs in reducing recidivism rates among offenders in Zimbabwe: a case study of Kariba prison (2024-2025).
- Abstract
- The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the various rehabilitation programs in reducing recidivism rates among offenders in Zimbabwe using a case study of Kariba Prison. The primary objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs in reducing recidivism rates among offenders. The secondary objectives were to establish the rehabilitation programs offered by ZPCS at Kariba Prison, to establish the effectiveness and challenges facing the implementation of rehabilitation programmes, to provide alternative solutions to the improvement of current Rehabilitation Programmes at Kariba Prison. The study was carried out under the background that the recidivism rates remain alarmingly high, with approximately 60% of released offenders reoffending within two years. Due to the problem, there is limited availability of rehabilitation programs, resulting in only 30% of offenders participating. Literature review was discussed in three distinctive phases as postulated by the research onion by Saunders (2011) the conceptual framework where the key concepts of the study were articulated, theoretical framework providing the key theories governing the study and the empirical framework were previous studies related to current study were articulated and a gap analysis outlined. The study was guided by three theories namely Social Learning Theory, Routine Activity Theory, and Desistance Theory. The population under study were 300 ZPCS officers drawn from Kariba Prison and the researcher adopted probability sampling namely stratified random sampling. . The researcher took necessary measures to ensure that respondents never suffered any prejudice as a result of the study. The researcher ensured that all the participants are safe from physical harm, discomfort, pain, embarrassment, or loss of privacy. The data collected was analysed, interpreted and discussed in line with the research objectives and literature reviewed in Chapter 2. Quantitative data collected using questionnaires was presented in form of tables, graphs and pie charts all extracted from SPSS Software and excel. The study found that the various rehabilitation programs in reducing recidivism rates among offenders in Zimbabwe using a case of Kariba Prison are effective as evidence by decline in the rate of recidivism.
- Date
- June 2025
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Recidivism
- Kariba Prison
- Rehabilitation Programs
- Supervisor
- Mrs. Gwanzura
- Media
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Chihuri, Ignatius.pdf