Welfare and Effect of Correctional Congestion amongst Inmates in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

Aims: To examine the Welfare and effect of Correctional Congestion amongst Inmates in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.

Study Design: Cross sectional survey design.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in selected states and location of correctional service in Niger Delta Region which include, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States between December 2017and September 2018.

Methodology: Simple random sampling technique was adopted in selecting Three Hundred and Eighty-Seven (387) inmates using the Taro Yarmane Formular from the population of Eleven Thousand Six Hundred and Thirty-Five (11,635). Primary and Secondary data were used for this study. Primary data were obtained through the administration of questionnaire. The set of questionnaires was administered to inmates to elicit information on the facilities and comfortability of the prison and the welfare service available. The secondary source of information that was employed included relevant official publications and records from Nigerian Correctional Service, journal articles, periodicals and internet sources. Frequency percentage table were used in presenting information on Demographic Characteristics of respondents.

Results: The major findings of the study revealed that majority have acquired one skill or the other while being incarcerated. They also stated that the most available welfare services provided by the prison system is the library facilities, however they are non-functional. Furthermore, majority stated that they are being fed just once in a day and stated that the major recreational facility present is the football pitch and they indicated that majority of them have been involved in Mid-range Industrial Production training and a major rehabilitation process they have undergone is counselling. On the effect of correctional service Congestion on the Welfare of Inmates Data on the Major Impact of correctional service congestion on welfare of Inmates revealed that majority stated that correctional services congestion has led to death although the number cannot be determined. Majority stated that the untimely death has been one of the consequences of congestion in the prisons and one impact of congestion on their health is getting infection through the toilets.

Conclusion: It was concluded that Prisons congestion has led to death as it can be deduced that untimely death has been one of the consequences of congestion in the Correctional service.