A STUDY OF THE HANDLING OF INMATES AND THE NATURE OF INMATE SUBCULTURE IN SELECTED PRISONS IN NIGERIA
A STUDY OF THE HANDLING OF INMATES AND THE NATURE OF INMATE SUBCULTURE IN SELECTED PRISONS IN NIGERIA
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Date
2016-07
Authors
NJIDEKA, Paul
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Abstract
The study focused on the handling of inmates and the nature of inmate subculture in selected prisons in Nigeria, namely Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Lagos, Kuje Medium Prison, Abuja and Kakuri Open Prison Camp, Kaduna. The research aimed at investigating into the treatment approach adopted by the uniformed staff in handling convicts in their custody; inmates and staff perceptions of the goals of imprisonment; the extent the prisons abide by the Standard Minimum Rules (SMRs) of the United Nations; the nature of inmate subculture in the prisons; and inmates‘ attitude towards the reformation and rehabilitation programmes.Two theories which address inmate subculture, namely, indigenous origin theory (deprivation theory) and importation theory, together with rehabilitation theory, were thoroughly examined for the purpose of adopting the theoretical framework for the study. Deprivation theory which addresses the closeness and traditional-oriented nature of Nigerian prisons and rehabilitation theory which addresses proper handling of inmates were adopted as the theoretical frameworks of the study. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected for the purpose of tackling the research problem. Questionnaire was the instrument used to collect quantitative data. Total sample sizes of 162 and 135 of inmates and uniformed staff respectively were drawn from sample frames of 485 inmates and 406 uniformed staff which ensured that at least one in every three categories of inmates and staff was included in the sample. Stratified sampling technique was employed to ensure that the prisons were proportionally represented in the study. In each prison, systematic sampling technique was applied to draw the allocated sample sizes of inmates and uniformed staff respondents from the sample frames.Qualitative data were collected from certain categories of inmates and staff in order to complement quantitative data collected from samples of inmates and staff. In-depth interview (using check list) and non-participant observation (using observation guide) were also used in this regard. The respondents here include inmate leaders, inmates attached to reformation and rehabilitation programmes; key administrative officers and reformation and rehabilitation officers/instructors.The data analysis was carried out at two levels, namely univariate and bivariate. Among other things, the study revealed that the uniformed staff were liberal-oriented in their attitude towards the inmates which ushered in good relationships between staff and inmates; that staff and inmates perceived the imprisonment goals differently; that most essential rules of the SMRs were not complied with; that the inmate government (inmate subculture) differed considerably in modus operandi from the conventional inmate subculture; and the inmates had positive attitude towards the reformation and rehabilitation programmes. In view of the findings, the researcher recommended both short-term and long-term measures to tackle the challenges facing the prisons. The short-term measures include exploring non-custodial punishments for minor criminal and civil offences instead of over-reaching the Criminal Justice System (CJS); adequate separation of convicts in prison custody to avoid the devastating effects of prisonization; and adequate funding of prisons by the government concerned. Long-term measures include separation of prisons and jails; systematic conversion of warders to liberal treatment officers; and official establishment of participatory government in prisons in view of the cordial relationships between prison authority and the inmate government. Suggestions for further researches include periodic studies of discharged inmates and examining the dynamic interplay between inmates‘ attitude to rehabilitation programmes and post release success.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULLFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF A DOCTORATE OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
Keywords
HANDLING OF INMATES,, NATURE OF INMATE,, SUBCULTURE,, PRISONS,, NIGERIA