Course Overview.
Penology is simply the study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation for the persons convicted of criminal offences. As a professional field, it applies theories and practices of societies and how they attempt to prevent criminal activity and apply the appropriate punishment for it. It encompasses treatment of all those people convicted of crimes and ways to rehabilitate them so that they do not pose any threat to the society. As a field of study, penology addresses various topics such as; prisoner abuse, prisoner rights including all theories about the purpose of punishments such as; rehabilitation, deterrence and retribution. Correctional administration on the other hand encompasses the management of institutional facilities and programs for housing and rehabilitating prisoners in the public or private sectors. Professionals in this field may be referred to as penologists or correctional administrators among other titles. Penologists or correctional administrators oversee the daily operations of state prisons, jails and other criminal related rehabilitation centres. These professionals are the ones responsible for managing the rehabilitation facility’s budget, convicts and personnel as well as managing procedures to ensure the facility environment is secure and humanely.

Worldwide, correctional facilities more so the prisons and particularly in Kenya are undergoing tremendous reforms designed to make them friendly and rehabilitative to all those convicted of crimes. This has necessitated competent manpower in areas of penology, correction and administration. The Bachelor of Arts in Penology, Correction and Administration is a four year course that has been developed to meet the much needed professional manpower required for a more reformed correctional system in Kenya and regionally. The programme further promotes integrated utilization of knowledge for the betterment of mankind through sound management of correctional and rehabilitation facilities. The course is aimed at training an all around learners capable of handling correctional and administrative work, prepare students and equip them with theoretical and practical knowledge critical for policy initiatives in Penology, Correction and Administration as well as equipping students with skills to undertake social science research in penology and correction. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates will be well equipped with skills and knowledge to enable them work in correctional and rehabilitation related fields within; government, nongovernmental organizations, correctional and rehabilitation facilities, correctional policy think tanks as well as correctional research institutions.

Entry Qualifications
For self sponsored students, at least a mean grade of C+ in KCSE. For Government sponsored students, the minimum cut point which is announced annually applies. The students should in addition have good performance in the following cluster subjects; Subject 1 ENG/KIS, Subject 2 MAT A / MAT B or any GROUP II, Subject 3 any GROUP III, Subject 4 a GROUP II or 2nd GROUP III or any GROUP IV or any GROUP V.

Becoming a penologist cum correctional administrator
If you have a passion for helping others and want to explore the relationships between society and law and interested in a career that can help those convicted of crimes rehabilitate and integrate back to the society, then pursuing this course might be a good choice for you. In addition, you will be prepared to develop skills that can help you grow and succeed in this field.

Penologists must be good communicators to enable them communicate effectively with inmates and other convicts and help them transition from conviction to law abiding citizens. Penologists must also have good critical thinking skills and be able to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions that can be used to rehabilitate the convicts. Penologists must be extremely familiar with the corrections system and understand how to operate within it. In addition, they must have good interpersonal skills to be able to work and interact with inmates effectively. They also must have great leadership qualities and supervise inmates while at the same time overseeing correctional facilities operations.

This position requires an individual to work directly with individuals that are incarcerated (locked up) so they should be extremely alert and physically fit as well to protect these people from escaping. Penologists should also have good instructional skills and be able to train inmates on various activities that can help them upon integrating back to the society. Penologists must be good listeners and be able to pay attention to what other people and convicts are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate and giving appropriate solutions. Penologists should have good persuasion skills and be able to persuade the convicted people to change their minds or behaviour and integrate back to the society.

Work environment.
Penologist’s works mostly in prisons interacting with inmates. They may also work in other rehabilitation facilities.

Career opportunities
Career opportunities open to graduates of this course include; Government prisons, nongovernmental organizations, correctional and rehabilitation facilities, correctional policy think tanks as well as correctional research institutions among other areas. Graduates can also use their creativity and start their own businesses.

You may explore these courses
Bachelor of Criminology
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Bachelor of Science in Counselling Psychology
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work