Correctional Institution (Prison) and the Control of Recidivism among Ex-Convicts in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract Recidivism has emerged as one of the foremost social challenges of the 21st century. It remains a considerable social threat facing every society and government today. For that reason, it has garnered considerable attention from scholars interested in developing and testing theories of crime and social change, understanding the process and experience of re-entry, and identifying and evaluating ways to improve successful inmate transitions back into society. Recidivism level has continued to increase despite various intervention strategies. It is on this note that this study is designed to determine the level of recidivism among inmates, assess the functions of correctional institutions, level of job opportunities, and family/social acceptance among ex-convicts in Southwest Nigeria. It is also to establish the relationship that exists between correctional institution, family/social acceptance, and job opportunities in the control of recidivism among ex-convicts in Southwest Nigeria. The study is quantitative, therefore questionnaires were used as study instrument at the Medium Correctional Centre in Ado Ekiti, Southwest Nigeria, where data were collected randomly using 5-scale Likert structured questionnaires among 200 recidivists and semi-structured questionnaires among 200 correctional officials. The reliability and validity test results for both recidivist's and correctional officials' instruments ranged from 0.706 to 0.860. The results show 75% of the respondents get re-arrested, re-tried, and re-convicted for another crime after being released from the previous jail period between 2-3 years. The study also reveals a high level of social and family stigmatisation of ex-convicts, coupled with a high level of unemployment among them. Therefore, the study recommends that government, correctional institutions, and other policy-decision makers enact and enforce policies through awareness campaigns and sensitisation programmes that will help reduce and discourage the inmates from relapsing into crime in future.