Effective re-integration of ex- offenders: Kenya policy analysis

Kenya Government established Probation and Aftercare Services Department on the 20th December 1943 through Peterson lead Commission based on the 1907 British Ordinance. This was a policy aimed at reducing the congestion in prisons- the overcrowding linked to the massive colonial government arresting natives involved in the Nationalism Movement. From 1943 to 2013, the Kenya prisons occupancy rate still remains at 226% of capacity compared to other east African countries like Uganda 214% and Tanzania 145% (Becky & Rob, 2012). Studies have linked the overcrowding to high rates of recidivism and extensive use of regularly prolix pre-trial confinement. The state enacted Power of Mercy Act No.21 of 2011 giving the President Power to grant free or conditional pardon to convicts, deferring punishment or substituting it through the advice of the members of advising committee on power of mercy chaired by the attorney general as a strategy to reduce prison congestion. This paper examines the state policies for reintegrating ex-offenders into society after being released by the president. Particularly, the paper focuses on policies relating to- rehabilitation process, economic empowerment, reintegration training and societal separation and restrictions.