RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT: OPPORTUNITIES AND

CHALLENGES FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
Case study of offenders serving non-custodial sentence

Muturi Jane Wambui

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL

FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF
MASTERS OF ARTS DEGREE IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
OF
MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY

APRIL 2023

DECLARATION

This research project is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in
any other University or for any other award.

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Name…………………………………………Sign………………..Date………………….
(MDS/42437/2016)

Declaration by the Supervisor

This research proposal has been submitted for the examination with my approval as the
appointed college supervisor

Name…………………………………………Sign………………..Date………………….
Employee No…………………………………………….

For and on behalf of Mt.kenya University

Name…………………………………………Sign………………..Date………………….
Branch Manager-Nairobi Branch

Dedication page
A dedication statement not exceeding 25 words may follow the declaration (only in the thesis).

Acknowledgment page
Acknowledgment not exceeding 150 words should follow the dedication page.

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 ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to determine to what extent the employees in the public service
are loyal and the factors that influence employee loyalty in the public sector. The study will
be limited to Probation Department in the Ministry of Interior and coordination of the
National Government of Kenya. Probation department deals with rehabilitation of offenders
serving supervised non-custodial sentences in the community.
The researcher will adopt descriptive form of research design. The sample will be drawn
from a population of 605 employees working countrywide. Only employees working in
Nairobi will be studied due to constrain of time and money. Data from both secondary and
primary sources will be used to analyze the past trends and evaluate current situation in the
department respectively.
Data will be collected primarily by the use of a questionnaire. Collected data will be edited,
coded entered into various data analysis tools ready analyses by use of excel. Data shall be
analyzed and presented in form of frequency table’s and bar charts. Based on the findings of
these study conclusions, discussions and recommendations will be given.
The findings of this study will benefits among others, the social service sector, employees,
employers, academicians, and the public in general. Employers are expected to benefit from
the findings of this study by understanding their employees better. The findings of this study
will also benefit the academicians as a reference and as basis for further studies in the field of
employee loyalty. Additionally, the study will benefit the general public because it is expected
to increase their knowledge to enable them understand the vital role of having highly loyal
employees in their organizations.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION.................................................................................................................ii
dedication...................................................................................................................................................
aknowledgement......................................................................................................................................
ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................................iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS...................................................................................................iv
LIST OF TABLES..............................................................................................................vi

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LIST OF FIGURES………………………………………………………………...…......vii
List of abbreviations and acronyms.......................................……………………………...……viii
CHAPTER ONE:.................................................................................................................1
1.1 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................1
1.2 Background of the study ……………………………………………………...……1
1.3 Statement of the problem...........................................................................................5
1.4 Objectives of the study..............................................................................................6
1.5 Research Questions....................................................................................................6
1.6 Importance and significance of the study..................................................................7
1.7 Limitation of the study...............................................................................................7
1.8 Scope of the study…………………………………………………………………..7
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW.....................................................................8
2.1 Introduction................................................................................................................8
2.2 Review of literature...................................................................................................8
2.2.1 Job satisfaction.......................................................................................................8
2.2.2 Employee Benefits................................................................................................11
2.2.3 Working Conditions..............................................................................................14
2.2.4 Employee Engagement.........................................................................................15
2.3 Review of Critical Literature………………….................................................. …18
2.4 Summary of the gaps …..…………………………………………………..…….20
2.5 Conceptual Framework …………………………………………………..…… 20
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ……………………………………………..……23
3.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………23
3.2 Research design…………………………………………………………………...23
3.3 Target Population and area of study………………………………………….... ..23
3.4 Sampling Technique ……………………………………………………………..24
3.4.1 Sampling Design……………………………………………………………….24
3.4.2 Sample size……………………………………………………………………..25

3.5 Data Collection Methods and procedure………………………………………….25

3.6 Data Analysis Methods………………………………………………………… .26
APPENDICES.............................................................................................................…..27
APPENDIX A: Research Budget..................................................................................27
Appendix B: Time Frame..............................................................................................28

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 Appendix C: Letter of Introduction...............................................................................29
Appendic D: questionaire…………………………………………………………......30
References……………………………………………………………………….…..35

LIST OF TABLES
Table 3.1…………………………………………………………………………....24
Table 3.2……………………………………………………………………………25

LIST OF FIGURES
Figures Page Number

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Organizational structure……………………………………………………………4
Conceptual framework……………………………………………..………………20

List of abbreviations and acronyms

A list of abbreviations and acronyms that have been used in the text should follow the list figures, before the
abstract page, with the full form of the abbreviations and acronyms.

Chapter 1 Introduction

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This research paper seeks to explore the relationship between restorative justice and
sustainable development. This topic focuses on the potential for restorative justice to
promote sustainable development goals by empowering communities to take
ownership of the restorative justice process.

The paper will investigate how restorative justice practices can promote community
engagement in sustainable development efforts, as well as the challenges and
barriers to implementation.

1.1 Background to the study

Restorative justice is one of the approaches used in criminal justice system whose
aim is to reduce crime rates and to promote public safety while also addressing the
root causes of criminal behavior.
Restorative justice seeks to address harm caused by crime or other wrongdoing by
focusing on repairing harm to the victim and community, rather than solely punishing
the offender. It involves bringing together the victim, offender, and affected
community members to engage in a dialogue and work towards healing and
reconciliation.

Restorative justice aims to shift the focus of the justice system from punishment to
restoration and empowerment, and to provide an opportunity for all affected parties
to have a voice in the process. This can help to promote accountability,
understanding, and empathy, and to address the underlying causes of the harm.

Restorative justice practices can take many forms, including victim-offender

mediation, family group conferencing, circles, and community reparations. These
practices are used in various contexts, including criminal justice, schools, workplaces,
and community organizations.

Restorative justice has been praised for its ability to promote healing and restore
relationships, as well as reduce recidivism rates and promote a more equitable

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justice system. However, it has also been criticized for potentially letting offenders
off too easily and not providing sufficient protection for victims. As such, the
implementation of restorative justice practices requires careful consideration and
ongoing evaluation.
Restorative justice practices can take many different forms depending on the context
and the needs of the individuals involved. The common thread among all these
practices is the focus on repairing harm and promoting healing and reconciliation
Here are a few examples of restorative justice practices:

Victim-offender mediation: This involves bringing together the victim and the
offender to discuss the harm caused by the offense and work together to find ways
to repair the harm. This can include apologies, restitution, or other forms of repair.

Family group conferencing: This is a process in which the victim, offender, and their
families, along with community members and justice system professionals, come
together to discuss the offense and develop a plan for repair and reintegration. This
process emphasizes the importance of community involvement in addressing harm
caused by crime.

Circles: A circle involves bringing together the victim, offender, and community
members to engage in a dialogue and share their perspectives on the offense and its
impact. The process is facilitated by a trained circle keeper and aims to build
understanding and empathy among participants.

Community reparations: This involves the offender making amends to the affected
community through community service or other forms of reparative action. This can
help to rebuild trust and restore relationships between the offender and the
community.

Restorative justice in schools: In this context, restorative justice practices are used to
address conflicts between students and promote a more positive and supportive

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school environment. This can include practices such as peer mediation, restorative
circles, and conflict resolution training.

The origin of restorative justice

The origins of restorative justice can be traced back to indigenous justice practices in
various cultures around the world. These practices prioritize healing and restoration
over punishment and often involve the community in the resolution of conflicts.

In the late 1970s, the term "restorative justice" was coined by criminologist Albert
Eglash to describe a new approach to justice that focused on repairing harm and
addressing the needs of victims, offenders, and the community. The concept gained
popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, particularly in response to growing criticism of the
traditional punitive justice system.

Restorative justice practices were first implemented in Canada, New Zealand, and
Australia in the 1980s and have since spread to many other countries around the
world. Today, restorative justice is recognized as a distinct approach to justice that
emphasizes healing, reconciliation, and community engagement.

The United Nations has recognized the importance of restorative justice in promoting
human rights and sustainable development, and many countries have incorporated
restorative justice practices into their justice systems. While the specifics of
restorative justice practices can vary widely depending on the cultural context and
the needs of the individuals involved, the underlying principles of restoration,
healing, and community engagement remain at the core of the approach.

1.2 Statement of the problem

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1.3 Purpose of the study

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1.4 Objectives of the study

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General objective
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Specific objectives

1.5 Research questions

This research topic provides an opportunity to explore the potential for restorative
justice to contribute to sustainable development and to identify ways to overcome
challenges and promote community engagement in the process.
1. How does restorative justice promote community engagement in sustainable
development efforts?
2. What are the key challenges to implementing restorative justice practices in the
context of sustainable development?
3. How can restorative justice be integrated into existing sustainable development
frameworks and initiatives?
4. What are the key factors that contribute to successful implementation of
restorative justice in sustainable development?
5. How can community participation in restorative justice processes be increased to
enhance sustainable development outcomes?

1.6 significance /Rationale/ justification of the study

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1.7 Scope of study
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1.8 Study Limitation
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1.9 delimitation
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1.10 assumptions of the study
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1.11 operational definition of key terms - explaining how certain terms have
ben used in a special way in the context of the research proposal.

What are the variables

Here are some possible variables that could be examined in a research paper on
restorative justice and sustainable development:

Independent variable: Restorative justice practices

Dependent variable: Sustainable development outcomes
Community engagement: This could be a moderating variable that influences the
relationship between restorative justice practices and sustainable development
outcomes. It could be measured by factors such as community participation rates in
restorative justice processes, the quality of community input, and the degree of
collaboration between community members and justice system professionals.
Implementation factors: These could include factors such as the availability of
resources, the level of support from justice system professionals and policymakers,
and the cultural context in which restorative justice practices are being implemented.
Sustainable development goals: This could include specific goals such as reducing
poverty, promoting social inclusion, and promoting environmental sustainability. The
extent to which restorative justice practices contribute to these goals could be
examined.
Restorative justice outcomes: These could include factors such as victim satisfaction,
offender accountability, and recidivism rates. These outcomes could be examined to
determine how they relate to sustainable development outcomes.
These are just a few examples of the variables that could be examined in a research
paper on restorative justice and sustainable development. The specific variables used
will depend on the research questions being investigated and the scope of the study.

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CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW

1. Introduction
2. Empirical literature (literature should clearly identify the research gap)
3. Theoretical literature/Theoretical framework
4. Conceptual framework
5. Recap of literature review

Option 1
3.4 CHAPTER THREE- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (For studies conducted in
the field)
1. Introduction
2. Research methodology
3. Research design (Discuss the Variables)
4. Location of the study
5. Target population
6. Sampling procedures and techniques
7. Sample population
8. Construction of research instruments
9. Testing for validity and reliability/trustworthiness
10. Data collection methods and procedures
11. Proposed data analysis techniques and procedures
12. Ethical considerations

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