Experiences of female prisoners incarcerated in Kampala, Uganda a case of Luzira prison

Abstract

This study examines the challenges faced by the women prisoners. The study was undertaken at Luzira Prison Convicted women’s ward at Luzira prison in Kampala largely because it is one of the women prisons in Uganda and could represent all the others. The study adopted descriptive research design. Simple random sampling technique was used to draw a sample population of 68 convicted inmates from a study population of two hundred in ward 3. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire which was administered by the researcher in a face-to-face interview. In addition, qualitative data was collected through an in-depth interview with nine wardresses and oral narratives with two inmates one who has served the longest time in prison and one who has been condemned was administered by the researcher in person. The study findings indicate that women inmates undergo stress adapting to the new environment of prison life where they have to follow the rules put in place without questioning. The detachment from the world and separation from the family is a major source of stress, loneliness, homesickness and boredom was found to be weighing them down. The study therefore recommends that the women imprisoned for non- violent crimes may be allowed to serve non- custodial punishment since their sentences are shorter to prevent family breakages as well as to reduce overcrowding in prison. In addition, the prison authorities should put more recreational facilities in the institution where inmates can spend their leisure time to keep them busy, improve on health care services provided especially reproductive health for inmates