Reintegration Challenges of Discharged Prisoners in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State.

Abstract

Challenges confronting the reformation and rehabilitation of prison inmates and discharged offenders seem to be in diametric contradiction to solving criminal, eco-social and psychological challenges involving discharged offenders in Nigeria. Social acceptance and reintegration of discharged offenders become difficult and debilitate their social functions in society. This study was designed to assess the reintegration challenges of discharged offenders in Awka South LGA of Anambra State. The study adopted a cross sectional survey research method. Data were collected from a sample selected through simple randomization and analyzed using inferential statistics. Essentially, the findings revealed that stigmatization, which often manifests as discrimination, marginalization, and obvious hostility, hinders the reintegration of discharged offenders and influence their behaviour and attitude towards societal members. The study identified unemployment, poor interpersonal and financial management skills, homelessness, poverty and health related challenges as the common reintegration challenges experienced by offenders upon their re-entry into the society. The study recommends a paradigm shift from governments’ interventions in the prison facilities alone to increased investment in formal education, skill acquisition, soft loan scheme, and counselling programs for discharged offenders.