Abstract: Women offenders unique psychological needs explaining their offending behaviors. Understanding their needs ensures effective rehabilitation. This study sought to find out the psychological needs of women prisoners in Kenya. Risk-Needs-Responsivity (RNR) Model for Offender Rehabilitation and Relational Theory of Women’s Psychological Development informed the study. The study adopted cross-sectional and descriptive research designs, employing mixed concurrent triangulation method of data collection. The target population included all convicted women within the 17 prisons in Kenya. A sample of 350 women participated in the study. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics method while textual thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. The study revealed that majority of women offenders’ criminal behaviors was influenced by: histories of physical abuse- 46.8% in childhood and 51.3% in adulthood; post-traumatic stress disorder indicated 78.95%. Parental distress due to financial constraint was 62.6% and 87% were constantly worried about their children’s future. Understanding these needs influence effective rehabilitation.

Keywords: Women prisoners, offending, unique psychological needs, assessment, rehabilitation, treatment