Influence of Selected Factors on Drug Abuse Among Prison Inmates: A Case of Kangeta Prison, Meru County, Kenya
Abstract
The problem of drug abuse in prison is a global issue that has a detrimental impact on the moral fabric of societies worldwide, including Kenyan prisons. However, there has been a lack of comprehensive analysis to inform the development of effective measures and policies to address this pressing problem. This study sought to fill this gap by assessing the influence of selected factors on drug abuse among the prisoners of
Kangeta Prison. To enable the researcher to concretely conceptualize the problem of drug and substance abuse in prison, two theories were used to guide this study that is; the differential association theory and the differential opportunity theory. This study adopted a sequential explanatory method of research design which enabled the researcher to collect quantitative data first and later collect qualitative data to explain the phenomenon. Kangeta Prison in Meru County, Kenya was chosen by the researcher purposively due to high rate of recidivism and increase in drug trafficking offenses in the area. The target population and the accessible population of Kangeta prison were 523 respondents which included both inmates and prison stakeholders. From this population, a sample size of 120 inmates was selected using simple random sampling technique. This sample was used for collecting quantitative data. Purposive sampling technique was also used to draw only six individuals from the stakeholders’ population for collecting the qualitative data. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the inmates and interview schedules were used to collect data from the stakeholders. The validity of the instruments was checked with the help of experts in this field of social sciences. To test the reliability of the questionnaires, a pilot study was carried out using 12 respondents from Meru Prison in Meru County, Kenya which is a neighbouring prison. The analysis of the pilot data produced a Cronbach alpha value of 0.910 which attained the recommended level of equal to or above 0.70. The quantitative data was analysed by use of percentages, means, and correlations using Spearman Correlation coefficient with the aid of Excel and SPSS software. On the qualitative data, thematic
content analysis was used by the help of NVIVO Software Version 14. To facilitate data collection, permits from relevant bodies such as Tharaka University Ethics Committee, NACOSTI, and Correctional Department were obtained by the researcher before actual data collection. The relationship between the variable was measured using spearman coefficient at 95% confidence level where stress, prison care and prison
policies produced a coefficient of 0.629, 0.642 and 0.551 respectively. This positive correlation indicated that there is a strong relationship between the variables. This study has yielded valuable findings that can serve as a valuable resource for the National Government in their efforts to conduct comprehensive reviews and implement reforms within the prison system. These reforms can help inmates struggling with drug addiction can benefit from evidence-based treatment approaches that address their specific needs and challenges. From the findings the study recommends the establishment of stress management programs in prison, develop or enhance the existing drug rehabilitation program, improve of enforcement and implementation of
rules and regulations in relation to drug and other relater counterfeit goods. The study also added more academic knowledge to the existing one.