THE STRUCTURE OF PRISON SENTENCING AS A MECHANISM FOR ENHANCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF WOMEN’S RESOCIALIZATION

Abstract

This study examines how the organization of daily activities and

leisure time in women's penitentiary institutions can enhance their

rehabilitation and preparation for reintegration into family and

societal life. The research argues that structured time management

in correctional facilities, when properly implemented by

institutional staff, serves as a crucial factor in successful

resocialization of female inmates. Through qualitative methods

including open-ended interviews with 31 incarcerated women and

expert evaluations with 40 correctional professionals, the study

identifies five primary activity domains: vocational work (weight

coefficient 0.39), peer socialization (0.26), educational

programming (0.17), family communication (0.11), and

sports/skill development (0.07). The analysis reveals significant

institutional barriers to effective rehabilitation, particularly

inadequate recreational facilities (identified as the most pressing

issue with 0.41 weight), insufficient health considerations (0.28),

and poor compliance with rehabilitation-focused legislation

(0.19). The findings demonstrate that current penitentiary

practices in Kazakhstan frequently fail to meet international

standards for female offender rehabilitation, particularly

regarding proximity to family locations and implementation of

vocational training programs. The study concludes with specific

recommendations for improving correctional programming,

emphasizing the need for enhanced educational opportunities,

family visitation policies, and structured leisure activities that

collectively support post-release social integration.