Examination of Prison-Based Vocational Training on Recidivism: A Review of Kisumu County, Kenya

Persistent recidivism undermines the effectiveness of incarceration as a tool for reform and rehabilitation in Kenya. In Kisumu County, correctional institutions face challenges such as overcrowding, limited resources, and fragmented rehabilitation programmes, raising questions about the effectiveness of prison-based vocational training in reducing reoffending. This study investigated the influence of prison-based vocational training programmes, including life skills education, counselling services, and formal education, on recidivism rates using a mixed-methods convergent parallel design. Quantitative data were collected from 220 former inmates using structured Likert-scale questionnaires, alongside 60 purposively selected prison officers and 28 probation officers. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interview guides to explore lived experiences, reintegration challenges, and perceptions of program adequacy. To ensure reliability and validity, the instruments were piloted prior to the main study, with Cronbach’s alpha employed for internal consistency of quantitative measures and expert review applied to the interview guides for content validity. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS version 25, while qualitative data were processed through thematic analysis. Data analysis was guided by Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, which emphasises behavioural change through observation, modelling, and reinforcement. Findings revealed that participation in prison-based treatment programmes was inversely related to recidivism: 85% of former inmates who underwent vocational training, 80% of those receiving life skills education, 78% of those who participated in counselling services, and 86% of formal education participants did not reoffend. In contrast, 51% of inmates who did not participate in any treatment programmes returned to criminal activity. Qualitative findings highlighted that most facilities still rely on punitive approaches, with limited access to structured rehabilitation, psycho-social support, and post-release transition planning. The study concludes that prison-based treatment programmes can significantly mitigate recidivism if implemented consistently, with sufficient staffing and individualised reentry planning. It recommends targeted investment in rehabilitation infrastructure, expansion of vocational and psycho-social services, and structured post-release support to strengthen reintegration outcomes.