SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF CONVICTED FEMALE HARD-DRUG TRAFFICKERS IN NIGERIAN PRISONS
SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF CONVICTED FEMALE HARD-DRUG TRAFFICKERS IN NIGERIAN PRISONS
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Date
1993-12
Authors
OKESHOLA, FOLASHADE BOSEDE
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Abstract
This study examines the socio-economic characteristics of
convicted female hard-drug traffickers in Nigerian prisons. It is
also meant to ascertain the extent of female involvement in drug
trafficking and how it has led to the abuse and degradation of the
"dignity of the woman". The study also examines the correctional
policies for convicted traffickers;it aims at discovering the
underlying guiding principles and at determining its effectiveness
and efficiency regarding the attainment of set goals.
The researcher has opted for the functionalist perspective.
Functionalists view society as a system. They develop the
conception of society as "self-contained systems" which consist of
interrelated and interdependent parts. These are said to perform
functions which maintain and equilibrate the whole, in so far as
they are believed to be mutually supportive of, and compatible
with, one another.
Most of the information for this study are collected through
interviews, questionnaire schedules and personal observations.
These three methods were used in order to provide for adequate and
comprehensive study.
Findings reveal that most convicted female hard-drug
traffickers are either self-employed or unemployed, educated,
married and mostly from poor family background.
Factors such as economic hardship, unemployment, desire to
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make ends meet, to live a luxurious life, availabilility of black
market for exchanging foreign currency, peer group influence for
early socialization, influence of the law enforcement agents,
aiding and abetting in drug trafficking, have all been stated as
responsible for female engagement jn drug trafficking.
It was also discovered that a few of the female convicted were
drug barons, while the majority were drug couriers. Cocaine,
heroin, indian hemp and L.S.D were mostly found on them. Body
cavity was mostly used as their mode of concealment.
The failure of the correctional goals, such as deterring and
rehabilitating offenders, shows that most convicted female inmates
are willing to go back into drug business rather than live as needy
or deprived citizens. They therefore show no remorse as to the
gravity of the punishment.
On the whole, the knowledge of females' social and economic
right should spur them up not into criminal activities, but into
hard work, so that they can take up dignified positions in the
society. That means, there must be a conscious education of women
by the feminist movement. The desire to get rich quick by hook or
crook must be discouraged by all women organizations and other
social institutions. Women who seek to eradicate inequalities in
the system must not do so through criminal activities,
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Description
A Thesis submitted to the Postgraduate School
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the
academic Degree of Master of Science in
Sociology with specialization in Criminology.
Department of Sociology
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria, Nigeria
December, 1993.
Keywords
SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS,, CONVICTED,, FEMALE HARD-DRUG TRAFFICKERS,, NIGERIAN PRISONS.