Assessment of the experiences of female prisoners in Tanzania : A case study of Kinondoni prison
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Date
2005
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
There were two reasons in undertaking a research about women prisoners at Kingolwira female prison. First, it is the only prison for women in Tanzania. Second, although women represent 6.6 percent of the total prison population in Tanzania, very few studies have done toward female prisoners in the country, compared to studies carried out in Australia, Britain, and United States. The study examined characteristics and conditions of a female prisoner at Kingolwira Prison. This research was designed as qualitative case study, whereby interviews were administered to 30 female prisoners and 12 prison officials at Kingolwira Prison. However, qualitative approach was also used to describe and draw similarities in what female prisoners do, say and reported as their experiences during and after imprisonment. The study employed both purposely and stratified sampling techniques in selection of respondents of the study. The data collected was analyzed was analyzed using simple descriptive statistic and narrative analysis through the Statistical Package of Social Science at University of Dar es salaam. The findings describes in what ways the Kingolwira female prisoners both resembles and differs from the national profiles of imprisoned female population found in other countries. The female prisoner at Kingolwira is older, poor, less educated, likely to be a mother with more than three children, to have suffered from a history of physical and sexual abuse as an adult, and to be serving time for a violent or domestic offence. She lives in a prison which lacks medical facilities, quality food, and rehabilitation programs.
The findings recommended for more research in relation to women’s criminality, abuse and poverty, while improvements toward health, sports, and parenting programs should be considered immediately. The study also emphasizes on development of programs which will address “life of women after prison” by focusing on economic empowerment, self-esteems and parental/child relationship of female prisoners.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr.Wilbert Chagula Library, (THS EAF HV9441.T34M4)
Keywords
Women Prisoners, Kingolwira Prison, Tanzania
Citation
Mgumia, J. H .K (2005) Assessment of the experiences of female prisoners in Tanzania : A case study of Kinondoni prison, Masters dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam.