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552

Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol.7, No.10

Publication Date: October 25, 2020

DOI:10.14738/assrj.710.9235.

Koome, S. G., Wafula, C., & Nyonje, R. (2020). Organizational Culture As A Moderator Between Selected Institutional Reforms And Change

Of Behavior Of Inmates, A Study Of Correctional Facilities In Kenya. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(10) 552-561.

Organizational Culture As A Moderator Between Selected

Institutional Reforms And Change Of Behavior Of Inmates, A Study

Of Correctional Facilities In Kenya

Solomon Gikundi Koome

Correctional Officer State Department of Correction Service,

PHD Candidate University of Nairobi, Kenya

Charles Wafula

Senior lecturer, School of Open and E-learning

University of Nairobi

Raphael Nyonje

Professor, School of Open and E-learning,

University of Nairobi, Kenya

ABSTRACT

This Research focused on organizational culture as a moderator

variable between selected institutional reforms and change of behavior

of inmates in correctional facilities in Kenya. The objective was to

assess the moderating influence of organizational culture on the

relationship of selected institutional reforms and change of behavior of

inmates in correctional facilities in Kenya. The study tested one

alternate hypothesis on whether the relationship among the study

variable was significant. The target population was 10,111 individuals

spread as 2,953 prison officers and 7,158 inmates. From this population

a sample was drawn using a formula totaling to 385 individuals who

were picked for the study. Purposive sampling was used to select

officers’ in-charge and their deputies. With r=0.747, t=8.558, at p=0.000,

0.05, HI was concluded that the relationship between institutional

reforms and change of behavior of inmates is moderated by

organizational culture. Findings of the study are expected to clearly

demonstrate how continuous quality improvement should be

undertaken within correctional facilities.

Keys terms: Organizational culture, Participatory monitoring and evaluation,

selected institutional reforms, change of behavior of inmates, correctional

facilities.

INTRODUCTION

In the last decade there has been an acceleration of the magnitude and pace of change across the

world and the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) has not been left behind either. Unfortunately though,

the prisons service has struggled with a legacy of oppression and wanton human rights abuses

acquired during the colonial days and carried over the post-independence period. It also faced the

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Koome, S. G., Wafula, C., & Nyonje, R. (2020). Organizational Culture As A Moderator Between Selected Institutional Reforms And Change Of Behavior Of

Inmates, A Study Of Correctional Facilities In Kenya. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(10) 552-561.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.710.9235 553

challenge of the growing population of prisoners which resulted into overcrowding leading to

congestion and deplorable conditions for prisoners (UNODC, 2012). The prison staff also lacked

basic infrastructure and basic necessities. The reform process was started through a Round Table

Conference on Prison Policy in 2001 whose aim was to improve prison conditions in Africa. The

outcome was a shift in the direction of policy and focus on structural systems. Prison is seen as a

physical structure situated in a certain specified geographical location that provides distinct

communal environment where people live in accordance to specific conditions (McCorklen & Korn,

2004). Globally, prisons are established reformatory and rehabilitation institutions with a core goal

of reforming and re-orientating prisoners, and make them useful members of the public.

The neglect of the prison institutions over the years is reflected by the attendant myriad of

challenges it grapples with especially on infrastructural decay, restraining culture and logistic

constrains. In most cases the vehicles that are supposed to cater for the prisoners going to various

courts scattered all over the local government areas of the country as well as for the welfare of

prison officers are hardly sufficient or operational (Ogwezzy, 2011). Effectiveness of prison reforms

can be guaranteed only if the three instrumentalities of the criminal justice system which includes

the police (who arrest and present the suspects in court) the court (that hears the suspects out and

sentence them) and the prison (where the criminals are held to serve their jail term) must be

correctively responsive. A clear indication of co-existence of this system was demonstrated in a

momentous ruling by the Indian Supreme Court (2014) put an order to all prisons to free pre-trial

offenders detained for over half of maximum jail term they could earn if verdict found them guilty

(Penal Reform International, 2015). In the Kenya, there is a challenge to most prisons that lack

resources such as vehicles and personnel to facilitate transfer, transportation of inmates to the court

when needed and other movements of prisoners. This at times contributes to delayed justice to the

inmates (KNCHR, 2010).

Organizational Culture

Organizational culture brings into perspective cultural elements that determine strategy, goals and

mode of how institutions operate. Ronald and George (2016) found significant and positive linear

relationship between cultural effectiveness and change of attitude of employees and that culture

that strengthen good communication and teamwork among team members. It has been found that

values and patterns of leadership are particularly determined by cultural backgrounds of leaders

and their own shared experiences. Role played by culture in an organization life must be well

understood since good leaders can be an enabling force to help people and organizations in

performing and developing the objectives of organizations (Roger, Harrison, & Stokes, 1992).

Culture presents unique effects to each organization since it is that distinctive collection of values,

beliefs, work styles, and relationships that distinguish one institution from another (Egan, Yang, &

Bartlett, 2004; Silberman, 2001). The prison institutions need to inculcate a health culture that will

allow all participants to work towards implementation of reform projects (Armenakis, 2002).

The reforms that seek to improve physical facilities have been put into place in most prisons. If this

can be successfully achieved, congestion in prisons can be addressed. Both county and national

governments are involved in inspection of prison buildings which they can either issue approval

certificate or mark for demolition (Abuyeka, 2014). Design on physical facilities should also be

thought in line with prevailing weather conditions so as to address the issues of exposure to

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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol.7, Issue 9, September-2020

extreme cold or hot weather. In prisons where the housing facility is not adequate, in addition to

hot weather, death cases can be imminent.

Selected Institutional Reforms

Institutional reforms entails multiple changes adopted with an aim to improve the common prison

conditions and the way the prison institutions are managed online with existing international and

national human rights standards. Since 2002, the Kenya Prison Services (KPS) has embarked on

deliberate attempt to introduce broad reforms and in particular to improve the conditions of

detention, respect for human rights, and support for rehabilitation. This included adoption for open

door policy that made it possible for the KPS to work more closely with external stakeholders and

partners. More attention was given to addressing the needs of offenders with special needs and

other vulnerable groups. Reforms presented a resolute move from punitive to a rehabilitative

model. A rational way to reduce the number of prison litigation is to reform the prisons and give

prisoners less to complain about. Complaints of prisoners generally fall into predictable patterns;

seeking basic amenities such as bedding and toiletries, decent food, adequate medical care, personal

security, and fair disciplinary policies (Susan, 2012).

LITERATURE REVIEW

One of the major challenges facing prisons in Kenya has been lack of proper and adequate means of

transport. This has resulted in delays and sometimes even death among inmates who sometimes

require urgent medical attention. The introduction of the bail information system is in line with the

core mandate of the probation services which is to provide courts with information on defendants

necessary for the adjudication of criminal cases especially in sentencing.Departments also deal with

supervision and rehabilitation of offenders as prescribed by the courts through specific judicial

orders, re-integration and rehabilitation of ex-offenders within the community.

Implementation of this kind of system enables probation officers to prepare standardized pre-bail

reports and ensure proper systems for supervision of the accused on bail. The system sees remand

custodies kept at the essential minimum and prevent offenders from falling back into crime while

still on probation. Under the system, probation officers ensure that offenders appear in court thus

leading to reduction in delays Republic of Kenya (1981). Due to the nature of work performed by

prison officers transport is key in the achievement of tasks. Vehicles are needed to transport

inmates to courts, hospitals and to other prisons when on transfer and transport goods from the

prison industries and farm produce from the farms to the market.

It is the responsibility of the service to provide inmates with food, uniforms, beddings and toiletries.

Similarly, the service is obligated to provide officers with proper uniforms and equipment.

However, this has not been adequately fulfilled leading to challenging situations such as: Poor health

due to exposure to harsh conditions and insufficient food supply which at times may be fatal.

Limited numbers of inmates being deployed to duties and/or sent to training programs due to

inadequate uniforms since only those properly dressed in prison uniform is deployed and/or send

to training. High incidences of conflicts among inmates over scarce uniforms and bedding, poor

hygiene due to limited supply of toiletries and sanitary facilities, exposure to harsh weather

conditions leading to poor health affects prisoners and the prison officers’ productivity (Institute

for Education in Democracy, 2004).