Home Institution
Miami University
Publication Date
Summer 2017
Abstract
After the Genocide Against the Tutsi in 1994, over 120,000 people were imprisoned in Rwanda for the perpetration of genocide. Twenty-three years after the Genocide, numerous genocide ex-prisoners have been released. Throughout their prison time and after their release, rehabilitation and reintegration programming has been available. This paper looks at the rehabilitation and reintegration programming available to genocide ex-prisoners, the success and challenges they currently face or have previously faced, and recommendations for reforms for the future prison/rehabilitation/reintegration process. This paper also examines the correctional role of prisons in Rwanda and how that contributes to successful reintegration. From interviewing genocide ex-prisoners, the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS), and several organizations that work directly with genocide ex-prisoners, it is evident that there is rehabilitation and reintegration programming both inside and outside of prison focusing on but not limited to education, unity and reconciliation, forgiveness, and healing. There are also various successes and challenges that genocide ex-prisoners face, for example, intermarriage, storytelling, forgiveness, shame, guilt, and acceptance. In conclusion, Rwanda’s genocide ex-prisoners have not recidivated, which conveys the message that the systems that are currently in place have assisted tremendously in successful reintegration. Although the challenges of genocide ex-prisoners presently outweigh the successes, there are favorable conditions available, proper programs in place, and recommendations being developed to make reintegration even more successful.
Disciplines
African Languages and Societies | African Studies | Criminology | Criminology and Criminal Justice | Jurisprudence | Law Enforcement and Corrections | Peace and Conflict Studies | Politics and Social Change | Social and Cultural Anthropology
Recommended Citation
Abdun, Lulu, "Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Genocide Ex-Prisoners: Understanding the Correctional Role of Prisons in Rwanda" (2017). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 2689.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/2689
Included in
African Languages and Societies Commons, African Studies Commons, Criminology Commons, Criminology and Criminal Justice Commons, Jurisprudence Commons, Law Enforcement and Corrections Commons, Peace and Conflict Studies Commons, Politics and Social Change Commons, Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons
Program Name
Rwanda: Post-Genocide Restoration and Peacebuilding