Evaluating effects of punishment on victims of crime in Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

The research project purposed to evaluate effects of imprisonment, fines and community sentence on the victims of crime in Nakuru County, Kenya. This would provide improved understanding of these consequences of punishment and their attendant benefits to victims of crime. The survey utilised stratified random sampling to acquire data from 390 respondents through interviews and questionnaires. Obtained data was analysed descriptively and presented via percentages, figures and tables. Ensuing findings evince that victims of crime are conspicuously left out in the administration of justice and that their plight goes unattended. Imprisonment was most popular and considered more effective over fine and community sentence but none of the three criminal punishments comprehensively encapsulates the welfare of the victims. The study concludes that victims ought to be included in the punishment of offenders and that such punishment benefits them.