REHABILITATION OF INMATE AND CASES OF RECIDIVISM IN OWO PRISON, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study In criminal justice, recidivism is one of the most fundamental concepts. Researchers such as Mark (1978) and Sutherland (1947) have found that more than one-half of the imprisoned have been served sentences for committing previous offenses. And the main reasons behind this are the habitual criminal behavior of the criminal, to short time of imprisonment and inadequate measures taken by the penal institutions Vold (1958). Now in Nigeria, recidivism is the most critical challenge to counter crime. Though the number of recidivists grows in the prisons daily and one of the factors is the gaps in the country’s judicial system. There are other basic reasons which have negative impacts on the increasing of recidivism. Lack of education, poverty, unemployment crisis, long-term convictions, alliance with other criminals, continuous isolation from the family and society, financial insecurity, lack of support in reintegration, lack of rehabilitation programs and lack of proper correctional actions are the important reasons for re-offense Islam (2017). A few rehabilitation programs are often organized for reducing recidivism but unfortunately, these are not successfully handled due to misdirection. It is a very crucial question, why people return to criminal activities? And the country should find out the answer to this question and take necessary steps so that people are disinterested to return in the same crime Mark (1978). Recidivism, is the tendency of individuals to reoffend and return to criminal behavior after being released from incarceration or completing a sentence, is a significant challenge within the criminal justice system (Cullen & Gendreau, 2000). High recidivism rates not only impact public safety but also strain resources and perpetuate cycles of crime and incarceration (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2018). In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the importance of rehabilitation in addressing recidivism and promoting successful reintegration of offenders into society (Taxman & Belenko, 2012). Rehabilitation programs within the criminal justice system encompass a wide range of interventions aimed at addressing the underlying causes of criminal behavior, reducing risk factors, and facilitating positive behavioral change (Andrews & Bonta, 2010). These programs may include educational opportunities, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, anger management courses, and reentry support services (Latessa & Lowenkamp, 2006). The effectiveness of rehabilitation programs in reducing recidivism has been a topic of considerable research and debate (MacKenzie, 2006). While some studies have demonstrated positive outcomes and significant reductions in reoffending rates among participants in rehabilitation programs (Wilson et al., 2005), others have found mixed results or limited long-term impact (Lipsey et al., 2010). Factors influencing the success of rehabilitation efforts include the quality and intensity of interventions, individual characteristics of offenders, the availability of resources and support services, and the broader social and economic context (Taxman & Marlowe, 2006). Despite challenges and varying outcomes, there is growing evidence to suggest that well-designed and evidence-based rehabilitation programs can play a crucial role in reducing recidivism and promoting positive outcomes for individuals involved in the criminal justice system (Aos et al., 2006). Understanding the mechanisms of successful rehabilitation and identifying best practices are essential for informing policy decisions, allocating resources effectively, and improving the overall effectiveness of the criminal justice system in addressing recidivism.