REVOLUTIONIZING PRE-PROBATION ASSESSMENTS IN KENYA: A MIXED-METHOD ANALYSIS OF JUVENILE EVALUATION PRACTICES AND RECIDIVISM REDUCTION

Abstract

Purpose of the Study: The study's purpose was to assess existing juvenile assessment practices prior to probation placement and their effect on probation outcomes. Methodology: The current study used a concurrent-triangulation mixed-method approach, with 226 respondents drawn from Nairobi County's juvenile probationers and probation practitioners. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and a key informant interview guide, and it was analysed descriptively (frequency and percentages), inferentially (binary logistic regression model), and qualitatively. Findings: The study found that properly carried out pre-probation assessment practices significantly reduce recidivism. However, the lack of juvenile-specific Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) assessment tools, a one-week induction period with only passing mentions of juvenile issues, and insufficient training in the existing juvenile assessment mechanisms hampered the optimal juvenile assessment procedure. Rushed assessments were also identified as a barrier to the optimal juvenile assessment process. Conclusion: Overall, while the existing probation assessment process plays an important role in shaping the outcomes for juvenile offenders by lowering recidivism rates, a number of flaws limit its effectiveness. Recommendations: The study recommends that probation develop and implement specialized Risk Needs and Responsivity (RNR) assessment tools tailored to juveniles. The probation department's entry-job induction guidelines should be revised to include training with a strong emphasis on juvenile topics, as well as the use of RNR assessment tools. Further, juvenile probation officers require more training focused on the juvenile offender population