Relationship Between Family Involvement in Rehabilitation and Reintegration Outcomes Among Male Juvenile Offenders in Mombasa County, Kenya

Abstract

Juvenile delinquency has become more noticeable and common, with young people involved in crimes similar to those committed by adults. It is recognized as a global issue and a shared concern among government officials, scholars, and the public. The research proposed that families and communities play a significant role in helping juvenile offenders prepare for reintegration. It is, therefore, essential that holistic rehabilitation involves all stakeholders, including the family, government, and the broader community, in addressing offenders to ensure successful reintegration and public safety.  There has been a dearth of resources on how family involvement in juvenile rehabilitation relates to reintegration outcomes among male juvenile offenders in Mombasa County; the study, therefore, aimed to fill this knowledge gap. Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and a correlational design were adopted as the guiding framework in this work. A mixed sampling methodology was used to select a sample of 100 juveniles and 26 family representatives. Questionnaires were administered to juvenile offenders, and the focus group discussion (FGD) guides were used for the family representatives. Quantitative data was analysed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21) through inferential statistics, namely the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. Qualitative data was broken down through thematic content analysis, and the findings were presented using tables, graphs, figures, and narratives. The study established a significant and moderately strong positive relationship between family involvement and reintegration outcomes, r(84) = 0.304, p < 0.05. The study recommends that correctional agencies need to be more proactive in developing family involvement programs to enhance positive reintegration outcomes.