INVESTIGATE A SURVEY ON THE AFTERCARE SERVICE AND REINTEGRATION OF EX-CONVICTS IN NIGERIA

1.3   Purpose of the study

The purpose of the study is to examine the aftercare service and reintegration of ex-convicts in Nigeria, with particular reference to Akwa Ibom State specifically the objectives of the study are:

1. To examine the obstacles to reintegrate ex-convicted in Akwa Ibom State.
2. To ascertain the state of re-information of and rehabilitation programmes in Nigeria prisons services in Akwa Ibom State.

iii.     To ascertain the efficacy of the aftercare service in Akwa Ibom State.

1.4   Research Questions

1. What are the obstacles to the reintegration of ex-convicts in Akwa Ibom State?
2. What is the state of reformation/reintegration programmes in Nigeria Prison Service in Akwa Ibom State?

iii.     How effective are the Aftercare services in Akwa Ibom State?

1.5   Research Hypotheses

1. There is no relationship between the quality of reintegrate programmes in the prison and successful reintegration into society after discharge.
2. There is no relationship between the condition of prisons and successful reintegration into society after discharge.

1.6   Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will help other researchers to carry out a qualitative and comprehensive analysis of aftercare service in other states of the federation. The result of the study will help to further educate the academic community on Nigerian prisons service strategic roles and challenges. It will give prisoners an insight of what they will face on being released as such they could be motivated to engage in occupation and vocational training in order to make the self-reliant on discharge. It will make government to take steps in putting up a legal framework for comprehensive reform of the Nigeria prison system. The study will further assist the government to formulate crime control policy. The present policy of the government if to get criminal out of circulation by imprisonment. Less attention is paid to what happens when the convicted prisoner is released back into the society.

1.7   Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study is delimited to the aftercare unit of prison in Uyo, Eket, Ikot Ekpene, Abak and Ikot Abasi Ex-prisoners, Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) employers of labour and community leaders in Akwa Ibom State were involved in the study. This study is limited to Akwa Ibom State. They reason for choosing Akwa Ibom State includes its-proximity to the researcher, and the familiarity of the researcher with the area which facilitated the collection of data.

1.8   Definition of Key Concepts

Aftercare Service:   This is a scheme intended by the Nigerian prison services for the treatment and rehabilitation of discharged prisoners. The scheme is aimed at facilitating the re-integration of ex-convicts into the society through collaboration with NGOs, Employers of labour, community leaders etc.

Crime: This is a violation of societal rules as interpreted and expressed by a criminal legal code of a particular society and are subject to sanctions by state authority.

Punishment: It is the legal imposition of a penalty as ret4ribution for an offence.

Ex-convict: It refers to a person who has been released from prison after serving his sentence. In this study, the term "ex-convict", "expresoner" and  "ex-offender" will be used interchangeably