Community perceptions on prisoners’ rehabilitation interventions: a case of re-offenders at Chikurubi

The study was conducted at Chikurubi Prison and in the Harare suburb, Mbare. The study was implemented after a realisation that some released prisoners continue to re-offend while communities continue to stigmatise ex-convicts long after imprisonment. The study sought to examine issues of recidivism...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Tigere, Richard (Autor) ; Ndlovu, Everson (Autor)
Tipo de documento: Electrónico Artículo
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: [2019]
En: Acta criminologica
Año: 2019, Volumen: 32, Número: 2, Páginas: 24-46
Acceso en línea: Volltext (Publisher)
Verificar disponibilidad: HBZ Gateway
Palabras clave:
Community reintegration
Ex-convict
Harper Doctrine
Inmate
Offender
Open prison
Re-offender
Recidivism and Rrehabilitation
Descripción
Sumario:The study was conducted at Chikurubi Prison and in the Harare suburb, Mbare. The study was implemented after a realisation that some released prisoners continue to re-offend while communities continue to stigmatise ex-convicts long after imprisonment. The study sought to examine issues of recidivism and appropriateness of rehabilitation interventions in Zimbabwe. The Harper Doctrine was evaluated in terms of its applicability. A qualitative case study design and non-probability sampling techniques were used. The study used small samples, but its findings can provide some insights into issues of prisoners’ rehabilitation and recidivism in Zimbabwe. Overall, findings failed to approve or disprove the Harper Doctrine. Findings suggest that socio-economic factors, societal discrimination, stigmatisation of ex-convicts and underfunded and ineffective rehabilitation programmes contribute to re-offending. Recommendations proffered, if implemented, might lead to policy changes. Criminalisation of stigmatisation and discrimination of ex-convicts is a possibility, particularly in the field of formal employment. More open prisons (minimum security prisons for offenders considered not dangerous) can be established to help with prisoners’ rehabilitation prior to prison release and to facilitate for resilient community reintegration.
ISSN:1012-8093