Coping mechanisms adopted by women ex-offenders in Nyeri County, Kenya

Female offenders are distinctly different from male offenders, and present with their own gender-specific needs and issues both in and out of the correctional setting. Most approaches to Coping Mechanisms for female offenders are currently based on research involving males and approaches designed for males. Inquiry regarding the gender-specific needs of female inmates as they pertain to treatment, reentry programs, and Coping Mechanisms is necessary so professionals can better understand how to serve this population. This study investigated the Coping Mechanisms Adopted by Women ex-offenders in Nyeri County, Kenya. The study specifically investigated the effects of not addressing the challenges identified for women returning from prison in Nyeri County especially challenges connected to housing, employment, relationships, drug, and substance abuse as well as mental health after incarceration. This was a qualitative study adopting a phenomenological design. The site and respondents were purposively selected with snowballing being used to select the respondents to the point of saturation. This study made use of 41 women ex-convicts, 3 FGDs, and 9 key informants. Data were collected by the use of semi-structured interview schedules. Results indicated that currently, prison is negatively viewed by the community; this is primarily because of the isolation of prisoners and whatever happens behind the bars. The government should involve other sectors such as the churches, the media, schools, and Non- Governmental Organizations in educating the masses in order to ease the re-entry of ex-convicts.