Analysis of the causes and effects of recidivism in the Nigerian prison system

The author reviews the literature on causes and predicators of recidivism in Nigerian prisons. From the review, it is established that criminal recidivism is caused by many factors: discrimination and stigmatization, lack of aftercare services or reintegration support programmes, familial, structural, substance abuse, peer influence, etc. Also, recidivism has negative effects on inmates, prison institution and the general public, especially the taxpayers, whose tax is used to run the Nigerian criminal justice system. The paper revealed that qualitative treatment of prisoners and provision of educational and vocational programmes are leading recidivism-control strategies. It concludes by making certain recommendations for reforms for instance establishing a state-of-the-art correctional facilities (vocational, educational and religious programmes) for inmates to access and extending the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) programmes to prisons.