Body type and type of crime among prison inmates around Kampala : a case of Luzira Prison

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the influence of body type on the type of crime committed by offenders in prisons in Uganda. The study was specifically guided by three objectives; to assess body type of offenders, to identify the different types of crimes committed by inmates in Luzira and to assess the relationship between body type and the type of crime. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted for this study. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative research designs. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview guides, observation guide, and body type measurement parameters from 122 respondents with 102 drawn using convenient and purposive sampling from convicted inmates in Luzira prison and 20 considered key informants including prison warders from Luzira prison and police officers from different police stations. The data obtained was used to calculate the body type of prison inmates and correlation and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data from the instruments and test the hypothesis that body type would significantly influence the type of crime committed. The study found that there was a high tendency for mesomorphs to engage in crime since majority inmates had mesomorph body type followed by endomorphs and ectomorphs in that order. Acts leading to death or intending to cause death such as Murder, Injurious acts of sexual nature such as rape and defilement, were the most committed crimes by offenders in Luzira prison. The study found that there was a high tendency for mesomorphs and endomorphs to engage in violent crimes such as murder, while Ectomorphs committed mainly injurious acts of sexual nature such as rape and defilement. The research recommendations were, that the government should continue to create more employment opportunities, sensitize the public about the law and avoidance of crime, finance youth projects, employ a minimum wage, and develop rehabilitation centres.