Challenges and ethical dilemmas in religious ministries support for post-correctional reintegration of ex-offenders from Port Harcourt maximum correctional service centre, Nigeria.

The role of religious ministries in the reintegration of ex-offenders has gained significant attention in rehabilitation discourse, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This study critically examines the challenges associated with religious ministries reintegration efforts in Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Service Centre. Work Role Transitional Care Theory by Nigel Nicholson (1984) and Critical Conflict Theory by Karl Marx (1848) were adopted as theoretical framework for the study. In-depth interview (IDI), Key Informant Interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were conducted across fifty-two (52) respondents revolving on ex-offenders, parole officers and religious ministries leaders. The NVivo Software for qualitative data analysis was used to find the key themes and patterns within the data. Findings reveal that while religious ministries play a crucial role in moral reformation and spiritual support, many ex-offenders are reluctant to engage with these ministries post-incarceration. Key reasons include the lack of holistic reintegration services, perceived insincerity in ministerial reintegration approaches, and the public exposure of ex-offenders in the name of testimonies. This article argues that unless religious ministries adopt more comprehensive, confidential, and ethically sound reintegration strategies, their impact on post-correctional rehabilitation may remain limited. The study contributes to criminology, penology, and religious studies by offering insights into how faith-based interventions can be improved for effective social reintegration.