Risk Factors Associated with Violent Criminal Behaviour among Female Convicts at Lang’ata Women Prison, Nairobi, Kenya

International audience The present study examined risk factors associated with violent criminal behaviour among female convicts at Lang’ata women prison, Nairobi, Kenya. The research used a mixed research design to obtain crucial information concerning the participants. The study’s target population consisted of 200 females at the prison convicted for violent criminal behavior. The interview schedule for both Convicts and Wardens were the primary research instruments of data collection, while questionnaire was administered to the sampled incarcerated participants. Data analysis was in the forms of data summary such as measures of central tendency, descriptive statistics and thematic analysis was also used. The study established that women involvement in violent crimes was mainly attributed to specific family, peer, social, and community risk factors. The identified factors include poor monitoring and supervision during childhood, low parental involvement, parental criminal history, authoritarian childbearing practices, poor academic performance, involvement in gangs, socially disorganized neighborhoods, low levels of community participation, high concentrations of poor residents and diminished economic opportunities. Other risk factors that contributed to the involvement in criminal activities include drug use, poor judgment, physical abuse and moods. Generally, the study elaborated the possible socio-demographic profiles, identified the common crimes as well as highlighted the risk factors that hugely contribute to the involvement of women in criminal violent behavior. Therefore, parents and guardians need to be advised to spend more time with their children, mentor them, advise and listen to them.