THE NIGERIA PRISON SYSTEM AND THE FAILURE OF REFORMATION AND REHABILITATION: A STUDY OF OWERRI PRISON

Abstract

This study set out to evaluate the prison services and recidivism in Owerri prison, Imo State, Nigeria. The statement of problem is that despite variety of reformation and rehabilitation programs designed to change the pattern of criminal or antisocial behaviour of criminals, recidivism is still high. The objective of this study is to examine the roles of reformers that cause the high rate of recidivism in Owerri Prison. Eight research questions and three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A survey research design was used to study a population of 276 respondents which include questionnaire, interview schedule, focus group discussions. With the imitation theory of Gabriel Tard as central, the study was built on a multistage sampling technique. The study also adopted the simple percentage of describe data raised from the field, and the chi-square statistical test for the testing of relationships in the hypotheses. Emerging data revealed that significant relationship exist between reformers role and recidivism, availability of training facilities and roles of reformers; as well as government policy on reformers and correction of convicts. This leads to high rate of recidivism in the prison. Among others, the study recommends that a holistic reformation programme be carried out on the reformers to enable them reform the convicts in Nigeria. This will enhance a positive trickledown effect on the convicts.