Inmate Rehabilitation Idea and the Challenges of Policy Implementation in the Nigerian Correctional Centres

Oyekunle O. Oyewo

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Abstract

The paper examined the challenges of policy implementation in Nigeria with a focus on inmate rehabilitation ideas in Nigerian correctional centres. Attempts to make prisons in Nigeria treatment or rehabilitation centres is not a recent phenomenon but the passage of the Nigerian Correctional Service Bill into law in 2019 was a watershed in the history of correctional rehabilitation in the country. In addition to the change of name to reflect rehabilitation as the goal of incarceration, Section 14 (1&2) of the 2019 Correctional Service Act provides for the rehabilitation of inmates as a core responsibility of the service. Using a desk research approach, the paper explored available information to examine the progress of inmate rehabilitation idea in Nigeria. However, challenges to effective policy implementation have negatively impacted the implementation of inmate rehabilitation policy in the country. Implementing effective inmate rehabilitation policies in Nigeria requires a holistic and sustained effort involving various stakeholders, including the government, non-governmental organisations and the community, staff training, assessment and classification of inmates, removal of legal and social barriers, improved funding, and improved collaboration with the non-governmental organisations.

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