An Assessment of Prison Overcrowding in Nigeria: Implications for Rehabilitation, Reformation and Reintegration of Inmates.

Abstract

In recent times, prisons in Nigeria have witnessed unprecedented increase in the admission of prison inmates. This alarming rate turns out to housing prison inmates beyond the capacity at which most prisons were built for. It then hinders the goals of reformations, rehabilitation and reintegration. As a result, this study assesses the capacity and current lockup of prison population in six geo-political zones of the Nigeria. Based on this assessment, it was discovered that most prisons across the zones were housing more than capacity in which they were originally built for, while majority of the inmates are awaiting trials. This clustering and crowding of prisoners together in a choky cell that in originally may be meant for five inmates and housing 20-30 inmates may arouse prison violence, aggressive behaviour and reduce the quality and sense of psychological wellbeing of the inmates. It is therefore recommended that programs and policies that will increase the wellbeing of the prison inmates should be embraced as this will improve the lives of the inmates and the aim of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of prison inmates back to the larger society can be achieved.

Microbiological Survey of Animate and Inanimate Surfaces in a Correctional Center, South-South, Nigeria

“…With the increasing rate of crimes all over the world, correctional centers/prisons tend to be overcrowded with inmates. Majority of the prisons in Nigeria are overcrowded, with the Port Harcourt prison having 327% overpopulation, which translates to at least 3 (three) inmates occupying the space meant for 1 (one) person [5]. In this study, it was observed that the correctional center was dominated by male prisoners, which implies that the crime rate is higher among male than female.…”

“…Around 73% of all Nigerian prison inmates are on remand, meaning they haven't been convicted yet; only 19,234 inmates have been convicted, which is 27% of the total. On average, for every single space in Rivers State prisons, there are three individuals present, as reported by Awopetu in 2014 [5]. Bacterial diseases and the colonization of living and non-living surfaces can happen because of inadequate personal/environmental cleanliness, substandard medical care, and the inmates' lifestyle and health condition before they were imprisoned.…”

Molecular Characterization and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Microorganisms from Port Harcourt Correctional Center, Rivers State Nigeria

“…Also, contaminated surfaces have a significant role in the indirect spreading of infections [6]. On average, for every single space in Rivers State prisons, there are three individuals present, as reported by Awopetu [7].…”

Legal Imperatives for Decongesting Correctional Centres in Nigeria: A Review of Recent Legislative Measures

“…However, it is observed that this legislation is due for a review. It was reported that the percentage of overcrowding as at 1978 was just 18.61 (Awopetu, 2014) as against 51.26 in September 5 2022. If the conditions for release were effectively sufficient as at 1977 when the Decree was made, it is not at the moment, 45 years after.…”