NCJ Number
61845
Date Published
1979
Length
19 pages
Annotation
THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM FOR ADULT, YOUNG ADULT, AND JUVENILE OFFENDERS IN NIGERIA IS OUTLINED; THE PRISON POPULATION IS PROFILED; AND HEALTH, CULTURAL, AND SOCIAL SERVICES AVAILABLE IN PRISONS ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THERE IS NO ADULT PROBATION SERVICE IN NIGERIA. JUVENILE PROBATION SERVICE EXISTS BUT IT IS INADEQUATE. APART FROM HEAVY CASELOADS ON A FEW PROBATION OFFICERS, THESE OFFICERS ARE ALSO CALLED ON TO PROVIDE OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES. IN CONTRAST TO PROVISIONS FOR ADULT OFFENDERS AND YOUNG ADULT OFFENDERS, JUVENILES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS. JUVENILE COURTS COME UNDER THE REGIONAL-LEVEL JUDICIARY. PROBATION AND SCHOOLS FOR JUVENILES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL WELFARE. THERE IS A GREAT NEED FOR MORE SOCIAL WORKERS TO PROVIDE PROBATIONAL SERVICES FOR BOTH ADULTS AND JUVENILES, MARRIAGE GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING, PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES, AND SERVICES IN SCHOOLS. INFORMATION REGARDING PRISON INMATES, DERIVED FROM THREE SEPARATE STUDIES OF INMATES IN FOUR DIFFERENT PRISONS, DEALS WITH AGE, LITERACY, OCCUPATION, OFFENSE FOR PRESENT CONVICTION, AND RECIDIVISM. HEALTH, CULTURAL, AND SOCIAL SERVICES ARE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, RELIGIOUS SERVICES, EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AND SOCIALIZATION. PRISON INMATE AND STAFF VIEWS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM ARE NOTED. SUPPORTING DATA ARE TABULATED. (DEP)