Applicability of minimum standard rules for treatment of prisoners in Rwanda
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Date
2013-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kampala International University; College of Higher Degrees and Research
Abstract
This study determined the effectiveness in the applicability of minimum standard rules for the treatment of prisoners in Rwanda in special reference to prisoners in Gasabo Prison. To achieve this main purpose of the study, some research objectives were set and these included: to determine the effectiveness in the applicability of minimum standard rules in Gasabo Prison; to determine the level of treatment of prisoners as regards to the protection of their rights; and finally to determine the goal of punishment given to prisoners. The design that was used in this study was descriptive correlation and the study sample size was 252 and this was derived from the population of 683 through Slovene’s formula. Systematic random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select respondents. Self-administered questionnaires were used in this study. The reliability and validity of the questionnaires were established using Content validity Index and pretesting. All ethical considerations were also highly valued in this study. Data analysis was done by the use of mean, frequencies, percentage and these were backed by qualitative analysis through legal perspectives. The research findings indicated that the applicability of minimum standard rules in Gasabo Prison was effectively done (mean-2.61); it was also discovered that the level of treatment of prisoners as regards to their rights in Rwanda is generally high (2.55); and lastly, the goals of giving punishments to prisoners was also justified (2.69). It was concluded that the effective applicability of minimum standards rules gives rise to the protection of rights of prisons. It was also concluded that the few cases of mistreatment are as a result of some standard rules being not implemented. It was recommended that the different stakeholders should try to work together to monitor, investigating and acting on issues affecting the rights and freedom of prisoners such that their rights can be respected by the authorities.
Description
A thesis submitted to the College of Higher Degrees and Research of Kampala International University Kampala, Uganda in partial fulfillment for the Award of Masters Degree In Criminal Law and Criminology at Kampala International University
Keywords
Standard rules, Prisoners