- Monica Kirango*, Johnson Nzau Mavole & Paskas Wagana
- St. Augustine University of Tanzania
- DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17771357
This study examines the impact of livelihood opportunities on the behavioral change of former offenders who have completed community service orders (CSOs) in Ilala Municipality, Tanzania. The study was guided by Social Learning Theory and drew on both global and Tanzanian literature on community sanctions, rehabilitation, and reintegration, including barriers related to stigma and capital access. Using a qualitative explanatory design, data were generated from 15 key informants, including judicial officers, social workers, community leaders, and former offenders, through semi-structured interviews. The study explores how access to employment, vocational training, and income-generating activities affects the rehabilitation and reintegration process for ex-offenders. The study area, Ilala Municipality, was chosen for its diverse population and established CSO system. Data were analyzed through a thematic framework approach, categorizing themes around employment and income opportunities, the influence of stable livelihood on behavior, and barriers to livelihood reintegration. Findings show that, although livelihood opportunities are generally limited, those who secure stable employment or start small businesses are less likely to re-offend, regain community respect, and experience personal transformation. Key barriers identified include persistent social stigma, lack of start-up capital, and insufficient vocational support, which weaken the potential of CSOs to achieve sustainable reintegration and reduce recidivism. The results underscore the crucial need for multi-stakeholder interventions, especially by NGOs, employers, and social workers, to provide targeted vocational training and facilitate access to employment. The interventions are essential for maximizing the rehabilitative role of CSOs and supporting former offenders’ positive behavioral change in urban Tanzanian settings.
