Recidivism as Contributory factor in Crime Prevalence in Nigeria: Re-flagging the Importance of productive Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Ex-convicts
1Babafemi Odunsi, 1,2Michael O. Adeleke, 3Oluwanike O. Oguntokun and 4Bukola Margaret Odunsi
1Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
2School of Law, Western Campus, Kampala International University, Uganda.
3College of Law, McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ogun State, Nigeria.
4Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
INTRODUCTION
In Nigeria and beyond, significant attention has been devoted to the unwholesome conditions in which prisoners are generally kept. The discourse, in different contexts, has engaged the harsh and dehumanising situations of prisoners entailing gross violations of their rights to health, lives and human dignities.[1] For example, in relation to Nigeria, it has been said: “The pain and suffering experienced by prisoners inside the Nigerian Prisons are untold and without measure. Considering the conditions of the prisoners, being sentenced to a term of imprisonment in Nigeria is akin to imposing a death sentence.”[2] Notably, over the years, at national and international levels, efforts have been made to improve the unwholesome conditions of prisons and prisoners. For example, at international level, the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and related instruments have been put in place to propel prison reform and facilitate humane conditions for inmates.[3] At national level in Nigeria, the legislation on prison has been reviewed and amended at different times culminating in the latest statute, the National Correctional Services Act (‘NCSA’), which came into force on 31 July, 2019 to repeal and replace the prior Prison Act of 2004. Section 2 of the 2019 Act sets out its objectives, among others.