The Rehabilitative Effectiveness of Sentences Imposed On Offenders in the Zimbabwean Prisons: A Focus on Recurrent Offenders

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out if sentences imposed on offenders were effective in rehabilitating them, focusing on recurrent offenders. The main aim was to conclude whether sentences imposed on offenders were effective enough to rehabilitate offenders or not. The study focused on prison conditions, processes and activities and how they affect inmates during the rehabilitation process. The research design used for this was mixed methods approach. The study consisted of a sample of 30 respondents. Ten (10) prison officials were given questionnaires and twenty (20) re-current offenders had to answer questionnaires and interviewed. Successful re-integration of offenders in the society depends on the individual since evidence suggests that activities and processes found in prison are rehabilitative. The study concluded that sentences imposed on offenders were rehabilitative although change of behaviour varies from individual to individual, and recommended the society in general and the government to interfere into the processes and conditions found in prison.