SOCIETAL LEVEL FACTORS AND RECIDIVISM AMONG INMATES IN SELECTED PRISONS IN SOUTH-WESTERN, NIGERIA

Abstract

 This study assessed the effect of societal level factors on recidivism among inmates in selected prisons in South-Western, Nigeria. This study adopted the descriptive and explorative research designs. Data was gathered using questionnaire survey and Key Informant Interview and was analyzed through quantitative and qualitative methods of triangulation. The sample size for this study was three hundred (300) inmates which comprises of inmates’ from Ilesa, Ondo and Ado Prisons respectively. Selected Key Informants were selected purposively based on their relevant position and daily contact with inmates. The questionnaire survey was used to generate quantitative data while, the Key Informant Interview was used to obtain the qualitative data. The proportionate sampling technique was adopted and 45% proportionate was used in the selection of inmates from each prisons. The study revealed that societal level factors played greater roles in increasing the prevalent rate of recidivism among inmates in Nigerian Prisons. The study also found that there is a strong correlation between societal level factors (such as rejection by family members; societal stigmatization; unemployment; inadequate vocational training; acceptance by criminal peers in the society to mention but a few) and recidivism among inmates in Prisons across South-Western Nigerian. The study concludes that societal level factors played a major role in controlling and contributing to the prevalence of recidivism among inmates in Prisons. The study recommends that government should ensure that adequate sensitisation and orientation of Nigerian citizens and other stake holders on issues of inmates’ rehabilitation, reformation and reintegration into the society. Also, the study recommends that citizens should not stigmatize ex-convicts; provision of employment opportunities; creation of functional and equipped vocational centres across prisons in Nigerian and provision of education up to tertiary institutions should be given to inmates to make them a better citizen after leaving the prisons.