Government Anti-Arrest Policies and Prison Populations in Kenya: A Survey Research Examination

In Kenya, government anti-arrest policies have been implemented to reduce crime rates and prison overcrowding. A mixed-methods survey was conducted with police officers, prosecutors, and inmates to assess policy implementation and its impact on prison occupancy. The survey revealed that anti-arrest measures were inconsistently applied, leading to varying rates of arrest reduction across districts. While some regions saw a decline in arrests and subsequent lower prison populations, others experienced no significant change or even an increase in arrests. Recommendation for policymakers includes improving policy enforcement consistency and integrating anti-arrest measures with community policing strategies.