Stakeholder perceptions of inter-agency collaboration in offender management under probation orders in Kakamega County, Kenya

Abstract

Probation orders require a coordinated response from justice agencies, social services, community organisations and the local support networks that will help meet the needs of the offenders cited in the order, as justice needs are frequently accompanied by legal, psycho-social, health, family, and livelihood needs, which the probation service can only deal with in collaboration with the respondent. This study was about stakeholders' perceptions relating to inter-agency collaboration in managing offenders in Kakamega County, Kenya, under probation. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used. The study was guided by Risk-Need-Responsivity Theory and Social Control Theory. The target group consisted of 240 probationers currently under probation and 20 stakeholders working on the realisation of probation and its support. A sample of 150 probationers was selected through simple random sampling, while all 20 stakeholders were purposively selected for interviews. One hundred questionnaires were retrieved for use and all 20 key informants completed. All quantitative data were analysed in SPSS Version 20 with frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Qualitative data were thematically analysed and combined with the results of the survey when interpreting it. A composite mean score of 3.97 (SD=0.87) was observed in the inter-agency collaboration. The top ratings were for support by multiple actors (M = 4.12, SD = 0.81) and knowledge of whom to contact when help was needed (M = 4.08, SD = 0.76). Sixty percent of probationers acknowledged the involvement of multiple organisations, while 75% knew where to seek assistance. Nonetheless, 51% reported a good overall probation experience while 44% reported a bad experience. Evidence collected during interviews indicated that while collaboration with courts, local administration, civil society organisations, and health and welfare services was in place, it was, for the most part, informal and personal. Lack of memoranda of understanding, well-defined referral processes, feedback systems, joint reviews of cases, adequate paid staff, transport, and information systems were considered to be significant constraints. Based on the results of the study, it is concluded that inter-agency collaboration is fairly good for offender management, but there is still a need for its institutionalisation. It calls for formal working arrangements, formalised referral systems, regular case conferencing, safe ways of sharing the information and community liaison agreements and resourcing for agencies to participate.