THE PSYCHOSOCIAL EFFECTS OF EX-PRISONERS AND THE MITIGATING STRATEGIES AS THEY INTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY: A STUDY OF IRINGA MUNICIPALITY, TANZANIA

Abstract: This study is an attempt to assess the psychosocial effects of ex-prisoners and the mitigating strategies as they integrate into the community. Specifically, to examine psychosocial support that ex-prisoners receive when re-integrating in their community; to determine challenges that ex-prisoners experience in integrating themselves in their community; and to identify the mitigating mechanisms provided to support ex-prisoners to effective integration in their community. A descriptive design was applied where study included a sample of 70 ex-prisoners of 2020-2021 from Iringa Municipality, community members, legal officers, prison officers and psychologists. The data were analysed using descriptive statistical and content analysis. From the findings, it was revealed that there is a lack of rehabilitation programs in the prison which prepare expected ex-prisoners to re-integrate with the community. Furthermore, there is lack of aftercare support from community members to ex-prisoners. Still there is isolation among ex-prisoners from community members. In addition, there is lack of housing to ex-prisoners, lack of employment opportunities as well as lack of finance to ex-prisoners when re-integrating in the community as the majority of the respondents agreed to the statements. Besides, there is lack of social support and criminal justice support provided to ex-prisoners as mitigating mechanisms for effective ex-prisoners integrating into the community. It is concluded that lack of rehabilitation programs to ex-prisoners when they re-integrate into the community discourages ex-prisoners to face the community. The study recommends that rehabilitation programs in the prisons should be conducted with the aim of preparing ex-prisoners to integrate into the community. Moreover, the government should amend its criminal regulations and offer employment opportunities to ex-prisoners to access sources of incomes. In addition, more education should be provided to the ex-prisoners and community members with the aim of letting them socialise and work together hence minimising the rate of re-offending among ex-prisoners and isolation among community members. Keywords: Desistance process, Inmate, Incarceration, Ex-prisoners, Reintegration, Rehabilitation, Recidivism/ Reoffending. Title: THE PSYCHOSOCIAL EFFECTS OF EX-PRISONERS AND THE MITIGATING STRATEGIES AS THEY INTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY: A STUDY OF IRINGA MUNICIPALITY, TANZANIA Author: Abdallah R. Ally International Journal of Novel Research in Humanity and Social Sciences ISSN 2394-9694 Vol. 9, Issue 5, September 2022 - October 2022 Page No: 7-16 Novelty Journals Website: www.noveltyjournals.com Published Date: 26-September-2022 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7113308 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.noveltyjournals.com/upload/paper/THE%20PSYCHOSOCIAL%20EFFECTS%20OF%20EX-PRISONERS-26092022-4.pdfInternational Journal of Novel Research in Humanity and Social Sciences, ISSN 2394-9694, Novelty Journals, Website: www.noveltyjournals.co