Participatory Design of Correctional Rehabilitation Programmes and Recidivism of Sexual Offenders in Prison in Nairobi County, Kenya

Correctional rehabilitation programmes are viewed as interventions to promote desired behavior change yet lowered rate of recidivism of sexual offenders has not been attained. It was postulated that participatory design of correctional rehabilitation programmes could be an effective deterrent. To test this hypothesis, a descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample size of 384 respondents who comprised of convicted sexual offenders serving custodial and non-custodial sentences, practitioners and stakeholders within correctional organizations in Nairobi County, Kenya. Data was collected through questionnaires as well as a focus group discussion. The study adopted Skilbeck’s model of programme design that accentuates user participation in a phased programme planning, design and implementation. Results reveal that participatory design of correctional rehabilitation programmes had a statistically significant influence on recidivism of sexual offenders and thus Skilbeck’s model could be modified for developing effective sex offender correctional rehabilitation programmes. The programme building design phase that entailed explicit clarification and confirmation of programmes goals, expected outcomes and mutual learning between designers and practitioners was most significant for effective interventions with sex offenders.  Accordingly, this could have a profound impact on recidivism of sexual offenders. Participatory design of correctional rehabilitations programmes that engage the practitioners as co-designers is recommended.