Home> Archive> 2015> Volume 5 Number 1 (Jan. 2015)
IJSSH 2015 Vol.5(1): 39-43 ISSN: 2010-3646
DOI: 10.7763/IJSSH.2015.V5.418

Socio-Cultural Factors Affecting Reintegration of Discharged Prisoners in Anambra State, South East, Nigeria

Kelechi Kenneth Osayi

Abstract—In recent times, recidivism has not only been on the increase in sub-Saharan Africa, but has become a major social problem to the society. Discharged prisoners are faced with challenges of reintegration as a result of some sociocultural factors which tend to affect efforts in that direction. Consequently, discharged prisoners often pose a threat to sustainable development because they can very easily relapse to crime when they are unable to reintegrate in the society. This paper examined the socio-cultural factors affecting the reintegration of discharged prisoners in Anambra State. The study employed qualitative research method with the population comprising adult members of the public, discharged prisoners, opinion leaders and staff of Nigeria prisons who were selected across randomly selected communities within two purposively chosen locations of Onitsha and Awka. Findings indicated that discharged prisoners are stigmatized both by societal members and existing laws. This study recommends that the government and other non-governmental agencies must step up their efforts to recondition the debasing conditions of Nigeria prison as well as review relevant laws to ensure systematic post incarceration rehabilitation and reintegration of discharged prisoners into the society, so that they can contribute to growth and sustainable development of the society.

Index Terms—Discharged prisoners, recidivism, reintegration, socio-cultural issues.

Kelechi Kenneth Osayi is with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state, Nigeria (e-mail: kelechi_osayi@yahoo.com).

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Cite: Kelechi Kenneth Osayi, " Socio-Cultural Factors Affecting Reintegration of Discharged Prisoners in Anambra State, South East, Nigeria," International Journal of Social Science and Humanity vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 39-43, 2015.

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