Juvenile Crime Mitigation Measures and Security Management in Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya

Abstract

There is a rising concern about juvenile crime in the country. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of juvenile crime mitigation measures on security management in Kamiti,located in Nairobi County. The study specific objectives were to evaluate the effect of psychosocial support assess the effect of education and training analyse the effect of training and investigate the effect of supportive activities on security management in Kamiti, Nairobi County. The study was guided by the strain theory and the sub-cultural theory. The study used a descriptive survey research design. The target population for this study consisted of 293 children and a sample size, of 169 respondents simple randomly selected. Data were gathered through questionnaires and interview guides. A preliminary study was conducted at the Machakos juvenile detention center to check the accuracy and consistency of the returned questionnaires. Data cleaning and analysis involved editing, coding, and tabulation. Quantitative data underwent analysis using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Thematic analysis was conducted on the qualitative data, with answers from interviews or open-ended surveys analyzed to identify common themes. Findings were presented and narrated based on the analysis. Research showed that psychosocial support positively and significantly affects security management at in Kamiti (β = 0.444, p = 0.000). Education had a positive and insignificant influence on security management at in Kamiti (β = 0.040, p = 0.465). Research shows that training positively and significantly affects security management at in Kamiti (β = 0.162, p = 0.001). Findings indicated that supportive activities positively and significantly affect security management at Kamiti (β = 0.284, p = 0.000). The study concludes that remand homes promote a sense of belonging and safety for juveniles, offering academic, vocational, and life skills training. They engage in sports, receive emotional support, and guidance from officers, promoting hope and a positive environment. This study recommends that remand homes should provide psychosocial support for juvenile rehabilitation. The study also recommends that remand homes should promote education, vocational training and supportive activities for juvenile rehabilitation. The government of Kenya should also support remand homes to realize their objectives.