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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol.7, No.7
Publication Date: July 25, 2020
DOI:10.14738/assrj.77.8714.
Rono, J. K., Mwagi, S. W., & Omboto, J. (2020). Analysis of the Capacity of Prison Security Structures on Inmate Escape Prevention in
Nakuru Main Prison, Kenya. A Perspective of Junior Prison Officer’s. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(7) 843-851.
Analysis of the Capacity of Prison Security Structures on Inmate
Escape Prevention in Nakuru Main Prison, Kenya. A Perspective of
Junior Prison Officer’s
Joash Kiprotich Rono
Dept. of Peace Security and Social Sciences,
Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya;
Samson Wokabi Mwangi
Dept. of Peace Security and Social Sciences,
Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya;
John Omboto
Dept. of Peace Security and Social Sciences,
Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya;
ABSTRACT
This study attempts to analyze the capacity of prisons security
structures in Nakuru main prison to prevent inmate’s escapes in the
perspective of junior officers working in the institution who formed 80
% of the sample respondents in the study. This research adopted
descriptive research design which involved the use of observation, case
study approach and survey technique. Data was collected majorly using
questionnaires as data collection instruments and was self- administered to 142 junior prison officers who were directly involved
in the facilitation of safe custody to prisoners in Nakuru main prisons.
The observation checklist was also used to ascertain the state of the
physical security infrastructure used to prevent escapes in Nakuru main
prison. Data obtained was analyzed using statistical package for social
sciences (SPSS) and presented using frequencies, pie charts and tables.
The findings from the majority of the respondents showed a lack of
permanent perimeter fence at 47.4 %, old dilapidated buildings at
28.9%, lack of the use of technology e.g CCTV at 19.7%, inadequate
lighting system at14.5%. The study recommendsconstruction of a
modern security wall in the institution as a strategy to effectively
prevent escapes, use of new technology e.g CCTV erection of a proper
and adequate watchtowers/Sentries and provision of adequate lighting
system at Nakuru main prisons. In addition, there is a need to escalate a
similar study to all prison institutions in order to enrich the findings and
recommendations for Policymakers in the criminal justice system.
Keywords: Inmates escapes; Security structures; Prison institution; Escape
Prevention.
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URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.77.8714 844
Rono, J. K., Mwagi, S. W., & Omboto, J. (2020). Analysis of the Capacity of Prison Security Structures on Inmate Escape Prevention in Nakuru Main Prison,
Kenya. A Perspective of Junior Prison Officer’s. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(7) 843-851.
Communication Partner On Uptake Of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Among Married Men In Kenya: An Evaluation Study Of Information Source
Attributes. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(7) 825-842. INTRODUCTION
The United Nations (2013) stipulates that the fundamental goal of every correctional facility
globally is to ensure the security of the prison facilities, personnel, prisoners and the members of
public. To achieve this goal, prisons historically focused on the physical safe custody of prisoners
free from escapes. The physical structure of a prison is extremely important reasons being to keep
the society out and the prisoners in (Peterson, 2015), and facilitate an atmosphere free from escapes
and hence public safety is ensured. A prison facility essentially should be enclosed with at least two,
walls or fences, depending upon the level of risk the prisoners held pose to prison security and the
public (United Nations office for Projects Services, 2015). It is however noted from this study that
Nakuru main prison physical structures does not echo the standards set by the united nations which
explains the causative factors of escapes witnessed it the institution. Kenya inherited the penal
system from the British Colonial Government on its independence in the year 1963 and this implies
that most of its structures are very old and dilapidated hence prone to escapes as alluded to in this
study. Prisons are institutions in Kenya established for the purpose of taking custody and care of
people who have been convicted of offences by courts of law. Chapter 90 and 92 laws of Kenya
mandates Kenya prisons to provide safe custody to prisoners and community protection among
other roles.
Prisoners escape occur due to poor design of prisons' physical security infrastructure and aiding
from within and outside the prison facility by among others prison personnel upon compromise or
with vested interests, accomplices of the inmate who have not been arrested, family members,
security lapse and political influence. Other factors include; prisoners with family issues; with
concerns in organizational decisions, with difficulties with fellow inmates and or even with issues
with prison staff. Low staff to inmate ratios, inmates with the intent to commit crimes in the
community also contribute to escape phenomenon (Culp, 2005). Overcrowding which
overstretches the capacity of the prison facilities to conduct classification of prisons hence inmates
are kept in facilities that do not meet their security level (Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services
Western Australia, 2015).
Prison institutions are classified according to security levels such as Minimum, Medium, maximum
based on the level of security and staff supervision the institution is able to provide (UN, 2015).
(UNODC, 2016), (Chapter 90 LoK). Prison work is strenuous and involves dealing with people who
have been deprived of their liberty, many of whom come from poor backgrounds. Prisoners are
people who are believed to pose security threats to the members of the community. Some of them
are dangerous, aggressive and others will try to escape. It is clear that none of these individuals
would want to be in prison and therefore the main role of the prison management is to hold these
people in a secure, safe and humane environment. Prison personnel are the people charged with
this responsibility and are the key players in any prison system. It is therefore critical for the prison
administrators to recognize their significance and dedicate a substantial amount of time and
resources to their enlistment, selection and training to guarantee that prisons have good quality and
well-trained staff as a priority (Coyle, 2005).
Congestion is a major challenge globally thus prisons do not meet minimum requirements as
stipulated in the (United Nations Standard Minimum Rules, 1955). Congestion acts as a catalyst that
trigger tensions as prisoners try to access inadequate resources available. It leads to criminal
contamination, belittled human dignity, inadequate and ineffective rehabilitation programs. This
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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol.7, Issue 7, July-2020
leads to high reoffending rates, human rights violation, overstretched resources and prisoners may
contemplate escape in their quest to reprieve themselves from the dilemma that comes with
congestion. These pose greater security dilemma to prisoners, prison officers and society at large
(UN, 2013). Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the official number of prisoners in custody
in the year 2015 was 55,000 held in 118 prison facilities in Kenya which have capacity for holding
only 26,687 prisoners (KNBS, 2015). Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Commission
(KNHRC) describes the Kenyan prisons as 'death chambers’, due to overcrowding and poor hygiene
(KNHRC, 2002). Similar sentiments are shared by Nyaura &Ngugi (2014) that the prison conditions
in Kenya have been dire and punitive since independence.
Nakuru main prison was established in 1969 by a Legal Notice No. 89 of 1969 (Cap. 90 laws of Kenya,
1977 revised). It was established among other 70 semi closed (medium) prisons in Kenya with a
capacity of 800 prisoners however findings of this study show that currently, it holds a capacity of
about 13000 prisoners. According to the Directorate of Research and Statistics at the Prisons
Headquarters escape report for the year 2016, there were 69 escapes reported to have occurred in
prison facilities in Kenya out of which 10 escapes occurred in Nakuru main prisons alone making it
the leading prison institution that most escapes occurred as illustrated in figure 1.0 below
Figure 1. Number of Escaped prisoners for the period 2013 – 2016 (Source: KPS, 2016)
Whereas it is crucial to note that even when the Kenya government is putting efforts to curb escapes
by recruitment of more staff, improving the infrastructure and building more prisons, escapes still
do occur. This phenomenon can be attributed to: old and dilapidated prison structures,
overcrowding which has jeopardized the institution's capacity to contain prisoners as per security
classification and overstretched budgets, inadequate lighting and lack of the use of technology e.g
CCTV. The objective of this study, therefore, was to analyse the capacity of prison security
infrastructure in prevention of escapes and suggest possible interventions to effectively prevent
escapes with specific reference to Nakuru Main Prison.
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
NAKURU MAIN
ELDORET MAIN
ELDORET WOMEN
BUNGOMA PRISON
BUSIA
KAKAMEGA MAIN
SHIKUSA BI
KITALE MAIN
SIAYA
MIGORI
KAMITI MAIN
No. of Escapees
Stations
2013 2014 2015 2016