THE NIGERIAN PRISON SYSTEM AND THE FAILURE OF REHABILITATION: AN EXAMINATION OF INCARCERATION ALTERNATIVES

Abstract

Against the background of prison congestion and increase rate of recidivism in Nigeria, this paper examines the failure of the Nigerian Prison Service rehabilitative model. It discovered that the “criminal label” acquired by the offenders on conviction is reinforced by prisonization and inmates’ subculture. The inmates leave the prisons worse off on release, only to face a society whose members identify them only with that label. In want of what to do to eke out a living, crime often remains the only option, and they are recycled back to prison. The paper calls for alternative incarceration model as provided by reintegration. Such reintegration techniques as work-release programmes, parole, academic-pass programmes and the use of prison volunteers offer the advantage of keeping the convicts behind bars as well as allowing them to mix frequently with members of the society, whom they will meet on completion of their imprisonment term.