EXAMINATION PRISON ADMINISTRATION AND CRIME PREVENTION IN NIGERIA

EXAMINATION PRISON ADMINISTRATION AND CRIME PREVENTION IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Crime is defined as any act or behavior that violates a society’s norms (normative behavior). This would imply that a criminal is defined as anyone who violates any of the rules or norms of behavior that govern society and has the potential to harm the well-being of other members of society. (Roth 2006) As a result, the importance of crime prevention and control, as well as the maintenance of law and order, to the development and growth of a society, both physically and economically, cannot be overstated.

Roth (2006) is of the opinion that ‘it is only amind that is secured and at peace that can rationally address the issues of procreation,economic development and societal growth. A disturbed mind leads to a restless and dissatisfied personality.

To ensure the society’s growth and development, peace and order are therefore essential. The role of law enforcement in maintaining social peace and order, as well as crime prevention, is self-evident.

Every man is selfish and self-centered by nature, and in most cases, he requires the presence of the state institution of law enforcement to act correctly. The Nigerian Prisons Service, according to its founding philosophy, seems to be an institution designed to administer penal treatment to adult offenders. It is a vital and necessary institution in the fight to reduce crime in society. The Nigerian Prisons Service was established on the basis of imprisonment policy to manage criminals in prison yards. These constitutional functions give prison personnel the authority to:

1. Maintain safe custody of convicted offenders (prisoners).

2. Keep awaiting trial inmates in custody until the courts order their release.

3. Punish offenders in accordance with the law.

4. Rehabilitation of convicted inmates

5. Rehabilitate and reintegrate prisoners who have served their prison sentences. Hannah (2012)

According to the preceding, the primary goal of establishing a prison institution in all parts of the world, including Nigeria, is to provide a rehabilitation and correctional facility for those who have violated their society’s rules and regulations. However, the extent to which this maxim holds true in practice has been debated. In Nigeria, there are numerous examples of prisons serving as a training ground for criminals rather than a rehabilitation facility.

Prison administration is a complicated dynamic of various divisions or units that provide a variety of services in prison management. Policy formulation and implementation, finance and budgeting, personnel management and operations, and other services are examples of such services. (Aina, 2010). Other government institutions that contribute to the overall management of the prison system carry out Prison Administration. Such institutions include the police, who are tasked with arresting, investigating, interrogating, and prosecuting criminals.

However, the concern that the Nigerian Prisons Service has not lived up to expectations in terms of positively impacting inmates’ lives and vocations has raised several questions that have yet to be fully addressed on the system’s behalf.

functions and the fact that they exist.

All of these issues are inextricably linked to the dynamics of prison administration in Nigeria, which is characterized by system failure identified with key players such as the police and the judiciary, both of which are tasked with collaborative roles in achieving effective prison administration.

With these key players being accused of corruption in general, and the Nigeria police in particular being accused of ineptitude, particularly in case investigations, the judiciary also being accused of perennial delays in criminal trials, and the Nigeria Prisons Service itself being undermined by flaws such as undue political interference, inadequate facilities, irregular and inadequate training for staff and inmates, the effectiveness of the system is jeopardized.

(Emeka, 2011).

This study has been necessitated by the drive to reposition the Nigerian Prisons Service for improved service delivery in collaboration with other key players involved in prison administration in Nigeria.

This study is considered relevant in order to inquire into prison administration and crime prevention in Nigeria, with a specific reference to Nigerian Prison Service, Agodi Gate Ibadan.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The prison system is an essential component of the criminal justice system and crime prevention. The primary goal of establishing a prison institution in any part of the world, including Nigeria, is to provide a rehabilitation and correctional facility for those who have violated their society’s rules and regulations. However, the extent to which this maxim holds true in practice has been debated. In Nigeria, there are numerous examples of prisons serving as a training ground for criminals rather than a rehabilitation facility (Obioha 2011)

Security of citizens’ lives and property, safe custody of inmates, prison congestion, unavailability of detainees in court resulting in adjournment of cases, and an unsanitary and dilapidated prison environment have all been raised as concerns.  ill treatment of inmates resulting in recidivism, low level of training on meaningful undertakings resulting in failure in rehabilitation of prisoners and proper integration into society after prison terms (Ogunwumiju, 2013).

1.3     OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

In general, this research looks into prison administration and crime prevention in Nigeria.

The study’s specific goals are as follows:

1. investigate the goals of establishing the Nigerian Prisons Service

2. Determine the relationship between effective prison administration and a reduction in criminal activity in Nigeria.

3. investigate the challenges confronting Nigerian prison administration and its role in crime prevention in Nigeria; and

4. Make recommendations to improve the efficiency of prison administration in Nigeria.

1.4.       SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is significant because of its strong concern about the current rate of crime in Nigerian societies. The study aims to shed light on the relationship between effective prison administration and crime prevention in Nigeria. As a result, the study will attempt to delve into the challenges confronting the Nigerian prison service, and potential solutions will be proposed.

Furthermore, the study will push the boundaries of knowledge in the area of the profound impact that the prison system has on the security of citizens’ lives and property, as well as the reformation of prisoners, as orchestrated not only by the Nigerian Prisons Service but also by other collaborative institutions.

The study will be useful to security agencies, particularly officers of the Nigerian prison service, as well as general readers.

1.5.    SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This research focuses on prison administration and crime prevention in Nigeria, with a focus on the Nigerian Prison Service, Agodi Gate, Ibadan. As a result, the scope of this study will be limited to members of the Nigerian Prison Service, Agodi Gate, Ibadan.

1.6.   STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS

The First Hypothesis

Ho: Effective prison administration is not one of Nigeria’s viable tools for crime control and prevention.

Hi: In Nigeria, effective prison administration is one of the viable tools for crime control and prevention.

Hypothesis No. 2

Ho: In Nigerian societies, there is no meaningful relationship between effective prison administration and a reduction in the rate of criminal activity.

Hi: Effective prison administration is associated with a reduction in the rate of criminal activity in Nigerian societies.

Three Hypothesis

Ho: Inadequate facilities and inadequate training are not major factors affecting effective prison administration and prisoner rehabilitation in Nigeria.

Hi: Inadequate facilities and inadequate training are major factors impeding effective prison administration and rehabilitation in Nigeria.

1.7.  LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The Researcher is likely to run into some issues while conducting the research, some of which may be serious.

Financial Restriction

Every good and successful research project necessitates adequate funding because it will involve numerous activities and processes. However, due to the researcher’s limited financial resources, this research project may encounter financial difficulties.

Time Restriction

The institution has specified a time frame for the conduct of the research work; however, this time frame may not be sufficient for the conduct of the research work, limiting the scope of the research work.

Data Collection Issue

This could jeopardize the research work because most people are hesitant to give out information. Due to the ethics of secrecy in public organizations, this information is required. Public servants are not always willing to share information based on the principles that guide them.

1.8.     DEFINITION OF TERMS

Prison

A prison is any officially designated place that is usually fortified for the purpose of incarcerating people who have committed crimes in order to punish, correct, and rehabilitate them.

Administration

The process of bringing two or more people together to achieve a predetermined goal is referred to as administration. It is a method of accomplishing tasks through the use of people.

Crime

Crime is defined as any act or behavior that violates a society’s norms (normative behavior).

Preventing Crime

Crime prevention is a process or measure implemented by the government to reduce the incidence of criminal behavior in society.

Criminal

A criminal is someone who has been convicted of breaking societal rules, laws, or norms.