The project is on “An assessment of Nigerian prison inmates and recidivism among offenders”, using Kuje Convict Prisons Abuja as a case study. It starts with the introductory chapter, discussed background of the study, statement of the problems and purposes among which are; to examine how effective is prison rehabilitation to inmate, to examine the causes of recidivism; and research questions was meant to examine how effective is prison rehabilitation on inmate?, what are the causes of recidivism? Opinions and research work of various scholars were reviewed in chapter two. Methodology of the research was survey research design which was adopted to collect data. The population of the study was 350 while the sample size of 100 was selected. Questionnaires were designed and administered and data collected were analyzed which result in making the following recommendations: A lot needs to be done to improve upon the welfare of prisoners in the various prisons across the country. Their feedings, clothing and the cells they are kept in should be geared toward reform, not hardening the prisoner state, when they re-join the larger society. And, Nigeria needs a social security system. Let the government do everything possible to provide the enabling environment for decent living for the people to reduce the propensity to take to crime.

 

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page        -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           i

Declaration Page         -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           ii

Approval Page            -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           iii

Dedication      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           iv

Acknowledgments      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           v

Abstract          -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           vii

Table of Contents       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           viii

 

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           1

1.2       Statement of the Problem       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           5

1.3       Research Questions     -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           6

1.4       Purpose of the Study  -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           6

1.5       Significance of the Study       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           7

1.6       Scope of the Problem -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           7

1.7       Research Methods                  -           -           -           -           -           -           -           7

1.8       Definition of Terms    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           8

 

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.0       Introduction    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           11

2.1       Conceptual Review     -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           11

2.2       Recidivism                  -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           11

2.2.1    Who is a Recidivist?   -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           12

2.2.2    Causes of Recidivism             -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           13

2.3       Measures of Combating Recidivism   -           -           -           -           -           -           19

2.4       Prevention of Recidivism                   -           -           -           -           -           -           23

2.5       Theoretical Framework           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           24

2.5.1    Differential Association of Crime      -           -           -           -           -           -           24

2.5.2    Weakness of Differential Association                        -           -           -           -           25

2.5.3    Labelling Theory of Crimes -  -           -           -           -           -           -           -           26

2.5.4    Effects of Criminal Labelling and Recidivism (Applicability)           -           -           26

2.7       History of Kuje Prison          -           -           -           -           -           -           -           26

 

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1       Location of the Study             -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           28

3.2       Population and Sampling Techniques -           -           -           -           -           -           28

3.3       Method of Data Collection     -           -           -           -           -           -           -           29

3.4       Types and Sources of Data     -           -           -           -           -           -           -           29

3.5       Problem Encounter     -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           29

 

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4.1       Socio-Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents                    -           -           31

 

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION

5.1       Summary         -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           41

5.2       Recommendations      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           42

5.3       Conclusion      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           43

REFERENCES        -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           44

APPENDICES          -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           46

LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1: Age Distribution    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    31
Table 4.2: Sex Distribution    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    31
Table 4.3: Marital Status    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    31
Table 4.4: Religion Distribution of Respondents    -    -    -    -    -    32
Table 4.5: Distribution of Education Qualification    -    -    -    -    32
Table 4.6: Occupation of Respondents    -    -    -    -    -    -    33
Table 4.7: Respondents as first timers in prison    -    -    -    -    -    33
Table 4.8: Offences that led to imprisonment of inmates    -    -    -    -    33
Table 4.9: Causes of crime in Nigeria    -    -    -    -    -    34
Table 4.10: Desire to come back to prison after discharge    -    -    -    35
Table 4.11: Respondents view of prison as a place to be    -    -    -    35
Table 4.12: Prison as more comfort than outside    -    -    -    -    -    36
Table 4.13: Prison as responsible for increase in the level of crime

in Nigeria    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -        36
Table 4.14: Respondents� view of on prison as a University of Crime            -    36
Table 4.15: Rehabilitation programme in prison    -    -    -    -    -        37
Table 4.16: Programmes preferred by inmates in prison    -    -    -    -    37
Table 4.17: Type of offenders in prison    -    -    -    -    -    -    38
Table 4.18: Overcrowding as the cause of recidivism    -    -    -    -    38
Table 4.19: Respondents� view on causes of recidivism    -    -    -    -    39
Table 4.20: Recommendation of alternative punishment in        
Place of prison 40    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -
 
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
1.1    Background of the Study

In recent time, recidivism has not only been on the increase in sub-Saharan Africa, but has become a major social problem to the society, governments, multinationals and humanitarian organizations the world over. Discharged prisoners find it difficult to get reintegrated into the society because of some social and cultural factors which seem to inhibit all efforts geared toward this direction (Kelechi, 2013). Recidivism is surely on the increase in Nigeria, with the country as one of the most densely populated cities in Africa which accounts for a reasonable percentage of this group. As a typical West African state, it has maintained a strong cultural belief system which has influenced her world view including the way her members relate with and perceive discharged prisoners (Kelechi, 2013).

In the code of Hammurabi, Hebrew and the ancient Babylonian Law, individuals and family seeked redress and revenge to offences committed against them using what is known to be the oldest codified law of �a tooth for a tooth� and �eye for an eye�. With the advent of civilisation, every society developed treatment offenders, every stage
depended on the societal perception of them. Carney (1977) and Imogen (2007) noted that in ancient Rome for instance, offenders were perceived as traitors, sinners, bandits, criminals and therefore were severely punished with such punishment as throwing them
into the lion�s den or burning furnace, and even frying alive in a pot of oil (Carney, et al, 1997). They used public flogging, crucifixion, impaling, beheading, hanging, mutilation, stoning, exiling, and shooting with arrow or spear, as punishment depending on the
 
degree of offences committed or the mood of the king or the emperor both in England, France and in fact, all over Europe and more were ingeniously invented to suit new offences and to serve the whims and caprices of the rulers (Carney, 1997 &Shama, 2012).

In the traditional pre-colonial African societies, offenders were seen as enemies of the gods of the land whose offenses attracted the wrath of the gods on the whole society (Igbo, 1999). Therefore, evildoers or violators of the laws of the land were perceived and treated as outcasts, evil and wicked. Their punishment ranged from public humiliation, flogging, temporal excommunication, payment of fine, to performance of sacrifices to appease the gods and to cleanse themselves of the offences committed before they could be reintegrated into the society. This was also typical of the traditional Africa societies within the West African region (Igbo, 1999). Traditional African societies, especially those in Nigeria seem to have overtime, developed a strong belief system in influencing their relationship with members who at one time or the other violated the laws of the land. This was seen as effrontery to the gods who were their custodians (Tanimu, 2008). This belief system seem to have however been carried over to the present day society, even with the introduction of modern prison philosophy where offenders are no longer considered as outcasts but as human beings who could be reformed and rehabilitated with the hope of being reintegrated into the society one day. Despite this positive development, the negative perception and treatment of discharged prisoners especially those who have passed through the prison institution in Nigeria still persist (Carney, et al 1977).
 
Folabi (2009) stressed that over the years, there has been a radical shift in penal philosophy    and    management    globally,    from    imprisonment    for    punishment    to imprisonment for reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration. The offender is then returned to the society not as a social misfit but reoriented and well equipped for productive life. To the contrary however, Ugwuoke (2010) observed that one of the fundamental issues facing prison administration in Nigeria today is lack of agreement as to what should be the aim of dealing with convicted offenders. According to him, in principle, Nigerias prison preaches reformation and rehabilitation, but in practice, it advocates for retributive punishment. He maintained that their punishment continues even after discharge from the prison due to public attitude towards them, as they are branded and treated as ex-convicts (stigma) which however is the greatest obstacle to a
discharged prisoner�s re-integration. This stigma is emphasized by the legal or state law which so defines the discharged prisoner. They are prohibited from employment to certain positions and occupation in public offices Ugwuoke (2010). Therefore, the law as it exists today further stigmatizes the discharged prisoner and prevents him from
integrating successfully.


The highly restricted nature of the prison yard to members of the public as expressed by Adigwe (1998) is also another factor, when he stated that the prison yard is a no-go-area, just as passing through its gate is highly restricted and nearly impossible for visitors. This most likely creates an unhealthy gap between the prisoner and his/her family and friends thereby widening the gap between the prisoner and the very people he/she is going home to after discharge (Adigwe as cited in Uma, 2004).
 
Ekpe and Mammah (1997) and Ugwuoke (2010) noted that government seems to have little or no provision for gainful employment opportunities or arrangement for proper rehabilitation of discharged prisoners in our society. The social stigma �ex-convict� attached to them seems to have contributed to their problem of resettlement in the
society. It looks as if one automatically becomes an outcast and ostracized once one is discovered to have been in and out of prison. Many family members in Nigeria disown their members and deny them some family rights just because they have been to prison and are therefore criminal (Ekpe&Mammah, 1997). This demonstration of rejection and neglect by both the families and the communities which are supposed to join hands and provide for the discharged prisoners until they are able to adjust to life in the free society, practically does not seem to save the situation.

It is noteworthy that the intended objective of rehabilitation of prisoners may not be achieved if their reintegration into the society fails. Unfortunately, the complementary follow-up after-care services of the prison for discharged prisoners which ensure smooth re-entry into the society appears to be totally lacking, probably as a result of shortage of personnel or lack of professionals (Uma, 2004). Lack of sincere effort in pursuing the legislative provisions (if any) for discharged prisoners in the area of community rehabilitation and reintegration program, the legal stipulation that denies them employment and public appointments as well as the age long traditional apathy towards discharged prisoners are all encapsulated in the societal perception of them deeply rooted in cultural disposition.
 
1.2    Statement of the Problem

The Nigerian prisons have been identified as a veritable avenue for human resources wastage in the society. There is idleness and wastage among the inmates, while old time trade ideas and occupations vanish (Obioha 1995). It is not an exaggeration to adduce that Nigerian Prison System is a home for idle minds due to lack of what to do, lack of workshop facilities (Aiyedogbon, 1988; Obioha, 1995) and lack of good skills, which the prisoners would like to learn (Ishaka et al., 1986; Kangiwa, 1986).

In relation to social infrastructure, there are no good recreational facilities and other amenities in most prisons in Nigeria, as reported by Soyinka (1972), Kangiwa (1986) and Obioha (1995) in Sokoto and Ibadan prison yards respectively.
The Nigerian prison environment with regard to amenities have been characterized as

�uncheerful� (Awolowo,  1985),  �dehumanizing� (Soyinka,  1972),  and  �a hell� by AbubakarRimi after his life experience as a political prisoner in Nigeria at the termination of the Second Republic. This lack of social amenities accounts for the culture
of fragility and explosive social violence that is recurrent and descriptive of the Nigerian prison community over the years. Physical infrastructure and housing facility could better be described as uncivilized.

It is recurring administrative problem that had been identified in notable Nigerian prisons prior to colonial rule, as Lord Fredrick Lugard (1903) noted about the Kano prisons, (cited in Meek, 1969) �the Kano prisons in Nigeria prior to colonial rule were highly congested to the extent that inmates have trodden on one another�.
 
This problem of congestion in the Nigerian prisons is discovered to be the major cause of some killer diseases, such as air born infections. The deplorable health conditionhave led to infectious diseases, such as skin scabies and bilharzias as reported in Agodi prison in 1987 (Obioha, 1986, Ifionu et al. 1987).

With the above problems in Nigerian prisons, it may be difficult for the Nigerian society to have prisoners rehabilitated for better live. The government has to make it clear, through financial and other necessary supports that the prison system has a responsibility to work on the inmates, so that they can be useful to themselves and the society in general upon their release. Except the right tools and right working atmosphere are provided, mere sloganeering will serve no useful purposes as all the goals for prisons reforms will continue to remain a mirage.

1.3    Research Questions

In carrying out the studies, the research will be guided by the following research questions:
i)    How effective is prison rehabilitation on inmate?

ii)    What are the causes of recidivism?

iii)    How has recidivism affected the Nigerian society?

iv)    How can the problem of recidivism be addressed?


1.4    Purpose of the Study

The main objectives of the study are to examine the phenomenon of recidivism and provide an insight into the menace of recidivism in the Nigeria prisons. The following are the specific objectives:
 
i)    To examine how effective is prison rehabilitation to inmate.

ii)    To examine the causes of recidivism.

iii)    To examine how recidivism has affected the Nigerian society.

iv)    To find solution to the problems of recidivism.


1.5    Significance of the Study

This study will have significant impact in the following ways:

It will help the readers to gain deeper understanding of the menace of recidivism and attempt at evaluating the effectiveness of the Nigerian prisons and the role it plays on the menace of recidivism using the Kuje Convict Prison as a case study.
The study will help the government to curb the problems of crime rate and recidivism in Nigeria. The findings of this study will give a general idea of on the number of discharged prisoners within the scope of the study areas who are in dire need of rehabilitation and re-integration and which the society is in danger of losing into crime.

1.6    Scope of the Problem

The scope of this research work would be restricted to Kuje Convict Prison located in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).The selected prison is expected to be a good sample, representative of the prisons in the country. Established in 1989, the prison grew in popularity during the military era in the 1990s as a place for immediate confinement of government critics and pro-democracy activists.

1.7    Research Methods

Descriptive research is adopted for this study. A descriptive research is a type of research that describes the characteristics of a population of phenomenon being studied. This
 
research design is suitable for work of this nature as it will enable the researcher to effectively study a particular group whose activities are closely related to the topic under study by drawing a sample size that are considered an adequate representation of the population.

The descriptive research design will also allow the researcher to make intelligible inference from data generated and findings from the analysis of the data.

1.8    Definition of Terms

a.    Prison:Is a building where convicted criminals are held. A prison is a generic term for a place in which people are physically confined and usually deprived of a range of personal freedom.
Prison is a total institution (Goffman, 1961)to be locked up in a physical, psychological and social sense, a situation in which there is no escape and the prisoner has no control and is to deny the individual the rudimentary choice of everyday live (Silverman, 1980).
b.    Imprisonment: Is no other thing that the restraint of a man�s liberty, be it in the open field, or in the stocks, or in the cage, in the streets or in a man�s own house and in all the places the party so restrained is said to be a prisoner so long as he does not have liberty to freely go at all times to all places(John Rastell, 1636).
c.    Recidivism: Is the term used to describe ex-offenders who return to continue criminal behaviour after they have been treated or trained to extinguish that behaviour (Akut, 2008). Recidivism is the act of a person repeating an undesirable behaviour after he has either experienced negative consequences of that behaviour, or has been treated or trained to extinguish that behaviour (Henslin James, 2008). Recidivism also refers to a person�s
 
relapse into criminal behaviour, often after receiving sanctions or undergoing intervention for a previous crime (Beck and Shipley, 1989).
d.    Recidivist: A recidivist is a person who continues to commit crimes even after being caught or being punished (Merriam Webster online Dictionary, 2009). The Oxford dictionary (2009) defines a recidivist as a convicted criminal who re-offends, especially repeatedly.
e.    Retribution: It refers to punishment for doing something wrong (Merriam Webster online dictionary, 2009). Retribution refers to giving punishment on court not less than a penalty an offender deserves.
f.    Retributive justice: Is a theory of justice that considers punishment, if appropriate, to be the best response to crime (Nozick, and Robert, 1981). Retributive justice is a system of criminal justice based on the punishment of offenders rather than on rehabilitation (Oxford dictionary, 2009).
g.    Incapacitation: Refers to the act of making an individual �incapable� of committing a crime historically by execution or banishment, and in more modern times by execution or lengthy periods of incarceration (Anthony, 2013). Incapacitation refers to a recidivist justification of punishment (Feeley and Simon, 1992).
h.    Deference: Is the use of punishment as a threat to deter people from offending.

Deference is often contrasted with retributivism, which holds that punishment is a necessary consequence for a crime and should be calculated based on the gravity of the wrong done (Summerfield, Morgan, 2006). Deference is a strategy intended to dissuade an adversary from undertaking an action not yet started, or to prevent them from doing something that another state desires (Brodie, Bernad, 1959).
 
i.    Rehabilitation means �to restore to useful life, as through therapy and education� or

�to restore to good condition, operation, or capacity�. (The American Heritage Dictionary, 2009).
j.    Incarceration: Is the confining of a person, typical as punishment for a crime (custodial sentence) to isolate criminals to prevent them from committing more crime. Incarceration refers to the state of being imprisoned (the American Heritage Dictionary, 2009).