Nigeria Prisons Research Articles

"A Critical Analysis of Socioeconomic Determinants Explaining Health Inequalities in Hepatitis B and C Among Male Prisoners in Nigeria: A Narrative Literature Review"

"A Critical Analysis of Socioeconomic Determinants Explaining Health Inequalities in Hepatitis B and C Among Male Prisoners in Nigeria: A Narrative Literature Review"

Iterative evaluation of mobile computer-assisted digital chest x-ray screening for TB improves efficiency, yield, and outcomes in Nigeria.

Wellness on Wheels (WoW) is a model of mobile systematic tuberculosis (TB) screening of high-risk populations combining digital chest radiography with computer-aided automated detection (CAD) and chronic cough screening to identify presumptive TB clients in communities, health facilities, and prisons in Nigeria. The model evolves to address technical, political, and sustainability challenges. Screening methods were iteratively refined to balance TB yield and feasibility across heterogeneous populations. Performance metrics were compared over time. Screening volumes, risk mix, number needed to screen (NNS), number needed to test (NNT), sample loss, TB treatment initiation and outcomes. Efforts to mitigate losses along the diagnostic cascade were tracked. Persons with high CAD4TB score (≥80), who tested negative on a single spot GeneXpert were followed-up to assess TB status at six months. An experimental calibration method achieved a viable CAD threshold for testing. High risk groups and key stakeholders were engaged. Operations evolved in real time to fix problems. Incremental improvements in mean client volumes (128 to 140/day), target group inclusion (92% to 93%), on-site testing (84% to 86%), TB treatment initiation (87% to 91%), and TB treatment success (71% to 85%) were recorded. Attention to those as highest risk boosted efficiency (the NNT declined from 8.2 ± SD8.2 to 7.6 ± SD7.7). Clinical diagnosis was added after follow-up among those with ≥ 80 CAD scores and initially spot -sputum negative found 11 additional TB cases (6.3%) after 121 person-years of follow-up. Iterative adaptation in response to performance metrics foster feasible, acceptable, and efficient TB case-finding in Nigeria. High CAD scores can identify subclinical TB and those at risk of progression to bacteriologically-confirmed TB disease in the near term.

Socioeconomic Implications of Long-Term Incarceration in Nigeria Prisons

Governments all over the world are faced with the task of combating crime, a problem that has affected both modern and historical cultures. Offenders are imprisoned in response to crime for varying lengths of time in an effort, among other things, to rehabilitate them and turn them into law-abiding citizens. Long-term incarceration, though, has unexpected consequences. Analyzing the socioeconomic implications of long-term incarceration in Nigeria is the goal of this paper. The paper makes the case that recidivism and unforeseen socioeconomic consequences for the family, business, social ties, state resources, and way of life result from the long-term incarceration of criminals. It concludes that, in an effort to rehabilitate the offender through long-term incarceration, more adverse effects are caused on the prisoner, their family, the economy, and other members of society. The paper recommends, among other things, that parole be used rather than keeping offenders in prison for an extended amount of time.

‘…Because We’re the Minority, We’re Neglected’: Exploring Gender-Specific Problems Facing Female Inmates in a Male Custodial Centre

ABSTRACT A small proportion of women are found in the prison population worldwide and consequently they have been ignored in prison studies and policy engagements designed to mitigate their “pains of imprisonment.” Despite the growing literature on prison science, only a few data-based studies have investigated the negative experiences of women prisoners in Nigeria. This research, therefore, sets out to empirically examine the gender-specific problems facing female inmates. A thematic analysis of the in-depth oral interview data generated from 25 inmates purposively selected from the women population revealed that their dietary, medical, personal hygienic and motherhood needs were grossly insufficient and dehumanizing. The situation is so debilitating that they have no option but to reuse such personal hygienic requirements as sanitary/menstrual pads and sometimes, use toilet papers and pieces of cloths in its stead. Other needs were occasionally met by their family members, churches, charity organizations, and individual donors. Confining women in correctional facilities established and equipped for men rather intensified their plight. The study calls for continuous determined efforts by governments, civil liberty organizations, faith-based institutions, and the academia to obtain – through policy, research, and practice – empirical evidence that is capable of providing practical solution to the problem. The intervention is both multi-sectoral and cross-disciplinary based, demonstrating a new drive and potential for harm reduction, as well as strengthening the growing advocacy on the treatment of (women) prisoners for better results. The call for further studies was also discussed to justify any perceived limitations.

Female Inmates and Young Offenders: A Call for Implementation of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019

On the 14th August 2019, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari signed into law a bill that repels the Prisons Act CAP P 29, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and provides a change in nomenclature for the foremost correctional institution in Nigeria, Nigeria Prison Service (NPS) to Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) . Apart from the obvious change in name, the Act provides for quite a number of amendments geared towards a total overhaul of the activities of the service and a much expected radical change in the treatment of offenders in Nigeria, as well as an overall more-friendly environment for the inevitable erring and recalcitrant members of our society. This paper looks at the amendments as it relates to females and young offenders and discusses the implications of those amendments in line with International Best Practices and Requirements. It calls for urgent implementation of the novel provisions, for nothing would have been done if the amendments are not given practical realization. Keywords: Correctional Service, females and young offenders, amendments, implementation DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/130-02 Publication date: March 31 st 2023

A Theoretical Assessment of the Reformation and Rehabilitation Programmes of the Federal Prisons in Nigeria; Implications for Social Work Profession

A Theoretical Assessment of the Reformation and Rehabilitation Programmes of the Federal Prisons in Nigeria; Implications for Social Work Profession

Social Values and Reintegration of Discharged Prisoners in Nigeria; Implication for National Development

Social Values and Reintegration of Discharged Prisoners in Nigeria; Implication for National Development

Socio-psychological Effects of Awaiting Trial Inmates on Prisoners in Nigeria Prison; a Study of Enugu Prison

Socio-psychological Effects of Awaiting Trial Inmates on Prisoners in Nigeria Prison; a Study of Enugu Prison

Emotional Intelligence, Job Satisfaction and Mentoring Support as Facilitators of Correctional Officers’ Career Resilience in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Career resilience entails developing and utilizing positive responses when one faces with challenges in one’s place of work. Nigeria prison officers are faced with several challenges which include, few number of prison officers compare with a larger population of inmates in congested prisons across the country, inadequate funding, flaw on the extant prison laws, lack of rehabilitative and correctional facilities, ever-increasing problems of prison administration, corruption among few high ranking officers, the prison system which was designed for correction of prison inmates through counselling, rehabilitations and reform of inmates, has turned out to be a breeding ground for hardened criminals who become worse than they were when they got into prison. In today’s world it has become very important in any organisation prison inclusive to have innovative ideas and be creative on how to overcome the challenges so as to be efficient and productive in one’s day to day activities. This study, therefore, investigated the influence of emotional intelligence, job satisfaction and mentoring support on the career resilience of Correctional officers in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and purposive sampling in the selection of two hundred prison officers. Three research questions were raised and answered in the study. The variables were measured with relevant standardized instruments. These include: Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS), Job Satisfaction Scale (JSS), Mentoring Support Scale (MSS) and Career Resilience Scale (CRS). Data from the study were analyzed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and multiple regression analysis (ANOVA). The finding showed that there was a significant relationship between the dependent and independents variables. Emotional intelligence is the most potent contributor to career resilience followed by job satisfaction and mentoring support. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations and suggestions were offered to various stakeholders.

ACADEMIC RESEARCH: THE NIGERIAN PRISON EXPERIENCE

Conducting research in the prisons has its ups and downs. Majority of time, researchers face stress, rigor and challenges. It is documented that data collected in the prison shows poor response and high attrition rate. This article intends to share practical experience from the research carried out titled: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory -2- Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) profile of prisoners in Southwestern Nigeria and to showhow attrition rate and research bias can be managed and how prisoners can be recruitedwithout the use of coercion. It was found that the factors that cause a high rate of wear andtear analyzed the questionnaire at length, the cause being the ambiguity of the questionsand the desire of the respondents to thank the researchers. Therefore, it is necessary forresearchers to use questionnaires with fewer items, the language of the questionnaire shouldbe easy to understand and researchers should be careful of being sentimental with theprisoners.

Spatial Analysis of Distribution of Inmates in Nigeria Prisons

The number of prison facilities available in Nigeria differs from state to state as well as across the regions. Hence the distribution of the inmates across these correctional facilities differs. This study investigates the distribution of the inmates across Nigeria correctional facilities (prisons) and the likely factors that may influence the distribution considering the spatial effect of the distribution. The considered factors are; year, month, state, region, gender and state population. Ordinary Least Square (OLS) was used to obtain the multiple regression model and Moran’s I test of spatial autocorrelation showed that there is presence of spatial autocorrelation in the distribution of inmates across Nigeria prisons. The Spatial Autocorrelation Regression Model (SARM) was therefore adopted to fit the regression model. While OLS approach indicated that all factors are significant except state, the SARM approach found both state and region not to be significant among the factors considered in the model. The SARM did not only give good compact spatial distribution of the inmates across Nigeria prisons it also gave a better predicted (forecast) values of inmates’ distribution than the OLS approach.

EFFECTIVE PUBLIC POLICIES AND THE RE-INTEGRATION OF EX-CONVICTS: THE NIGERIAN CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM

In a recent development, the Nigeria Prison Service was renamed, “the Nigeria Correction Service”, a move that is designed to reorient the department along the lines of emergent demands of justice dispensation on the global scene. This study examined the extent to which the new Nigeria Correction Service can adjust to the laudable objective of repositioning itself for purposes of reformation and re-integration of the nation’s ex-convicts for a better Nigerian society. Data was obtained from secondary materials including books, periodicals, journals, newspapers, the internet, etc. Content analysis was adopted as the mode of analysis while the theory of social integration (Blau, 1960) was employed as the theoretical framework of the study. Findings revealed that the re-orientation of the “service” for purposes of reformation and reintegration of ex-convicts had long been taking place as many of such citizens had either acquired a good measure of education while in prison, learned various vocations, and even attained higher spiritual growths. The study suggested adequate funding to enhance the effort of the service in achieving its objectives.

The Rights of Detained and Condemned Prisoners in the Nigerian Correctional Facilities – A Synopsis of the Legislative Framework

The Rights of Detained and Condemned Prisoners in the Nigerian Correctional Facilities – A Synopsis of the Legislative Framework Dr Alaba Ibironke KEKERE Abstract Prisoners are generally denied certain rights as a result of incarceration. They are subjected to restrained movement and do not have assurance of freedom of personal liberty as guaranteed under the law. In Nigeria, prisoners are treated as if they are without rights despite that the only right taken away from a prisoner is the right to personal liberty and perhaps, right to privacy. Therefore, this article examines basic fundamental human rights which should not be forfeited as a result of incarceration as it argues that human rights are universal and apply to all humans irrespective of their location. It is observed that Nigeria has failed in its obligations to comply with the provisions of international instruments that guarantee prisoners‟ rights despite being a state party while the relevant provisions of the Constitution are not being enforced. Therefore, measures must be put in place to domesticate the instruments so as to ensure full compliance with the provisions that could ensure functional and efficient prison administration in Nigeria. Non-legislative measures are needed to tackle the continued disrespect of the rights of prisoners in Nigeria. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jlcj.v9n1a2

Things fall apart? Missions, institutions, and interpersonal trust

This paper studies the links between changes in traditional communities, due to historical Christian missionary activities, and differences in interpersonal trust between Africans today. We use various data on Christian missions to show that missions are associated with lower levels of trust within countries formerly under British indirect rule, but increased trust for all other countries. This result is robust to a variety of confounders and fixed ethnic characteristics. Using data on native prisons and prisoners in Nigeria, and Pew surveys in Africa, we demonstrate that the negative effects may be explained by weakened traditional institutions, norms, and beliefs, due to missionary activities under indirect rule.

Incarceration impacts cognitive performance, and prisoner status matters

ABSTRACT Globally, incarceration is understood to impoverish the wellbeing of prisoners, but evidence for its impact on cognitive performance is less popular. As most evidence on the criminal justice system have come from advanced western countries, we investigate the association between the length of incarceration and cognitive performance keeping in mind the status of the prisoners in Nigeria, a low resource setting where most inmates are awaiting trial. Inmates (N = 387; males = 94.72%) held in three facilities in a state in Southeast Nigeria completed a test of cognitive performance. Results showed that the longer the inmates stayed in detention, the poorer their cognitive performance. However, moderation analysis using Hayes PROCESS revealed that the decline was significant for inmates awaiting trial but not for convicted inmates. Findings suggest that the agony of awaiting trial for prolonged periods could affect cognitive performance, suggesting that life after conviction or acquittal is at risk. Findings highlight the need for intervention programs for awaiting trial inmates, especially in low resource settings such as Africa, where awaiting trial inmates make up a larger proportion of inmates.

Availability of Reformative Education Programmes for Prisoners in North West Nigeria

The study investigated the availability of reformative education programs for prisoners in northwest Nigeria. A descriptive survey was the adopted research design. The target population comprised the stakeholders (prison inmates, prison officials, lawyers, and human rights activists) from four states (Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, and Kano) northwest Nigeria. A total of 13 prisons, 1338 respondents (1068 inmates; 200 prison officials; 50 lawyers; and 20 human rights activists) were selected using multi-stage sampling. Four questionnaires designed by the researcher were used for data collection dedicating one questionnaire to each of the stakeholders. The validity of the instruments was ascertained using content and construct validity. The calculated value of Cronbach Alpha was 0.87. The data collected from the study were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The hypotheses were tested using chi-square. The findings of the study revealed that out of the five indicators of prisoners' reformative education, only one was available, that is, religious education. However, the other four, facilities, personnel, and reading materials; educational continuity and motivation; remedial and adult education, and vocational education were unavailable. The study recommended that prisons should be equipped with modern facilities for valuable reformative education. There should be training and retraining of prison personnel, and a well-stocked library with current and updated materials containing textbooks, periodicals and computers be provided in all prisons for the use of both inmates and prison officials, among others.

Socio-demographic characteristics as correlates of psychological distress

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the level of psychological distress of offenders newly brought into prison custody in a Nigerian prison and investigate the relationship with socio-demographic and penal characteristics.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study involving 236 new prison entrants who were assessed for psychological distress using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).FindingsA total of 267 prison inmates were newly brought to prison custody over a three-month period. Out of this, 236 (88.4 per cent) of them participated in the study. Majority of the inmates were males 225 (95.3 per cent), awaiting-trial inmates 208 (88.1 per cent), single 144 (61 per cent), Christian 224 (94.9 per cent), first time offenders 218 (92.4 per cent) and charged with violent offences 136 (57.6 per cent). Majority of the inmates scored above cut-off points on the GHQ-12 and the HADS. In total, 157 (66.5 per cent) on HADS anxiety subscale, 201 (85.2 per cent) on HADS depression subscale and 199 (84.3 per cent) on GHQ-12. Significant relationship was observed between GHQ-12 “caseness”, prison category and type of offence. Prison situation and type of offence were significantly associated with HADS depression subscale, whereas age was associated with HADS anxiety subscale.Research limitations/implicationsSome limitations were encountered in the course of the study. First, the study relied on self-report questionnaires for collection of data. Second, information given by the respondents could neither be corroborated by family members, who were not present during the interview, nor by the officers and men of the Nigeria Prisons Service, who knew little or nothing about the respondents. Participants in this study had spent maximum of three days in prison during the interview, thus certain levels of distress within three days after incarceration may not entail “caseness” in the sense of the presence of a psychiatric disorder. Therefore assessment over a longer period is needed.Practical implicationsScreening prison inmates on reception into prison custody provides a vista of opportunity to identify mental health problems and socio-demographic and forensic correlates of psychological distress among new entrants into prison custody. This will facilitate early identification and management of prison inmates with health needs. Health screening on reception will also help in identifying the various penal or forensic characteristics of prison inmates, which will be put into consideration during selection of appropriate rehabilitation and reformation activities that best fit a particular prison inmate. Early screening of prison inmates upon reception in the prison will also help in identifying prison inmates who have high risk of suicide and self-harm, thus preventing cases of death that may arise as a result of these mental health problems. Findings from this study will also enrich the body of knowledge on mental health problems of prison inmates entering the prison; this will also help the criminal justice system in decision making, especially with emphasis on psychological evaluation of prison inmates before dispensing judgment. On the part of the prison authority, the prison inmates identified to have psychological distress and some forensic characteristics can be properly classified, and kept in cells that will not aggravate their distress. Finally, this is the first study of prison inmates on reception into Enugu Maximum Security Prison, Enugu State Nigeria. The implication of this is that findings from this research will form a baseline on which further research on prison inmates upon reception in the prison can be conducted.Originality/valueThis study demonstrated that prison inmates are faced with high level of psychological distress during their early days in prison, and that some socio-demographic and forensic variables had significant association with psychological distress as itemised in Tables III and IV. Therefore, screening new inmates on prison reception will help in early identification and treatment of vulnerable groups. This will also help in proper classification and allocation into appropriate cells of prison inmates by the prison authority.

Rehabilitation and Welfare of Inmates in Nigeria Prisons: A Case of Selected Prisons in Southwestern Nigeria

The study assessed the extent of implementation and administration of rehabilitation programme and also examined the welfare of inmates in selected Prisons in Southwestern Nigeria in the study area with a view to enhancing policies/programmes of prison service in the country. This study employed both primary and secondary data. Primary data were obtained through the administration of questionnaire on inmates to elicit information on their well-being. The simple random sampling method was used to select 204 respondents which constituted 10% of the total population (2042) of prison inmates in the purposively selected prisons (Ibadan, Akure and Abeokuta) in Southwestern Nigeria. Focus group discussion was held with 8 ex-convicts and 5 inmates’ relatives. The secondary sources of information that were employed included relevant official publications and records from Nigerian Prisons Service, journal articles, periodicals and internet sources. Data collected were tabulated and analyzed using percentage and frequency as descriptive; and Chi-square as inferential statistics. The study finds that administration of rehabilitation programme of Nigerian Prisons Service was not effectively implemented. This was attested to by the obtained result ( χ 2= 1.101). The consequence of this is that the inmates will not be able to provide for their daily needs on release and will find it difficult to integrate into the community. The temptation to take to crime is higher than before. Equally, the study found that the inmate’s welfare in the selected prisons was not well taken care of, as this was confirmed by the obtained result ( χ 2 = 1.500). The study concluded that administration of inmates’ rehabilitation and welfare programmes by Nigerian Prisons Service in Southwestern Nigeria was ineffective and needed to be improved in order to achieve the goal for which it was established.

Prisons’ condition and treatment of prisoners in Nigeria: towards genuine reformation of prisoners or a violation of prisoners’ rights?

This study examines the conditions of prisons and the treatment of prisoners in Nigeria. The purpose of this examination is to determine compliance with the benchmarks for the treatment of prisoners and ascertain if prisoners’ rights against ill-treatment are safeguarded. The study uses relevant laws, as well as published and unpublished reports, in order to paint a coherent picture of the conditions of prisons and the treatment of prisoners in Nigeria. This article comes to the conclusion that prisons in Nigeria are not operating satisfactorily according to their statutory duties, and instead of functioning as rehabilitation centres they end up contributing to human rights violation.

Nigeria and United States Prisons: A comparative Analysis of Mass Overcrowding

The goal of the prison system in both Nigeria and United States prison is to restore an offender to the society after “doing time” and make him useful and productive in the community. The specific goal is re-integration. Since both country’s correctional institutions have the same objective, this dissertation will take a critical look of some weaknesses and strengths of both systems and proffer some recommendations for further study and development. Generally, in this comparative analysis, this dissertation would be comparing the same things in both countries throughout although this is of course can be difficult as the information may not be available – but this dissertation will work within the available information and data. This dissertation is an offshoot of a research carried out in Nigeria prisons in October 2012. Overcrowding is a thorn in the flesh bedeviling both Nigeria and United State’ prisons; most of the prison cells are not suitable for human inhabitance; hygienic situations are pitiable; occupational, skill acquisition, educational opportunities and reformation exist on paper. There is a high recidivist statistics of inmates who relapse into crime after their release from the correctional facilities, various Non- Governmental Organizations (NGO) and pressure groups have called on the Government to reform the prison system in Nigeria but all measures geared towards this has defied an acceptable solution. In the America systems, there is high recidivism just like what is obtained in Nigeria, the prison system is in a crisis and various commissions has called for a total overhaul of the system. The criminal justice system in Nigeria and America enforce the law through the court. The judge or the jury has the constitutional power to pass judgment on accused either by the use of community service; probation or fine; jailterm or decide to combine all the punishments within the confines of the law. Therefore, this dissertation will do a critical comparative analysis between Nigeria and United States prison with its focus on mass overcrowding, to find out the causes and the consequences of the problem. Like the America correctional institutions, Nigeria prisons are rated as maximum and minimum security facilities. While the Nigerian prisons are relatively old, most of the correctional facilities were not designed for the purpose for which they are being used. In Nigeria as in the United States, Parkinson’s Law applies to prison construction; prison populations grow to fill expanding capacity, this growth has led to mass overcrowding and “survival of the fittest”.