Impact of Fire Disaster Risk Preparedness in Prisons Departments in Central Kenya

Across the world, prisons have suffered severe damage as a result of natural and man-made disasters including fires and deaths of inmates inside the prisons. The worst and most threatening disasters in prisons are the fire that may eventually lead to either deaths or prisoners escaping. Following the prevailing circumstances in the Kenyan prisons over a period of between 2010-2015, the current study sought to evaluate the impact fire disaster preparedness in prisons in Central Kenya. Specifically, the study examine magnitude of fire disaster risks in prisons in Central Kenya. The study employed a descriptive research design. Simple random sampling was used in the selection of prisons officers since the population was largely heterogeneous. Simple random sampling was then used to select prisons officers at the management level. The study targeted a population of 234 respondents who at the management level. Prison officer in charge, National Disaster Operation centre representative and inmate leaders were used as key informants. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and interview guides. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data were analysed using content analysis and thematic analysis. The research findings were presented in tables and figures. The study result show that Kenyan Prisons face significant fire disaster risks as noted by 90% of the respondents. Infrastructure to prevent fire incidents was only at 32%; only 21% felt that there were escape routes in prisons, which made it difficult for prisoners to escape during fire disasters. High walls were a deterrence for prisoners to escape as well (56%). The study concluded that the prisons lacked fire safety management protocols; the infrastructure from the surveyed prisons were not fire safety compliant. It is recommended that the Kenya Prison Service should endeavour to enhance prison fire safety by investing in installing and designing effective infrastructure.