The Impact of Congestion on Rehabilitation in Akure Correctional Centre of Ondo State

The institutionalisation of justice administration system all over the world is meant to bring orderliness into the conduct of human affairs. This is because some individuals by their nature will disrupt social order and create discomfort so that chaotic situations can arise. If governments fold its arms and allow people to take laws into their hands, it will amount to roles abdication. It is in a bid to arrest unpleasant occurrences that gave birth to the establishment of correctional centre for rehabilitation and reformatory purposes. The whole essence of this is to serve as deterrent to members of the society with such attitudes. However, the modalities for the implementation of correctional programmes vary from one country to the other. This has thus prompted unintented outcomes. Inmate congestion is one of the most pressing challenges confronting Nigeria's correctional system. This study investigated its impact on rehabilitation in Akure's correctional centre, where 50 questionnaires were administered, and 42 were successful returned and analysed. Using a quantitative approach, descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) were employed with the aid of SPSS 25.0. Results revealed that 93.1% of respondents agreed that congestion contributes to jail breaks, while 97% linked it to poor health outcomes such as infections and epidemics. Similarly, 79.4% noted that overpopulation delays justice and violates the right of inmates, while 65.7% observed that it exposes minor offenders to hardened criminals. In contrast, only 43% associated congestion with homosexuality and lesbianism, indicating mixed views. Importantly, 98% agreed that non- custodial programmes significantly promote rehabilitation. The study concludes that congestion undermines rehabilitation and recommends expanded non- custodial sentencing, accelerated trial processes, improved health facilities, and stricter inmate management practices. It relies on an admixture of primary as well as secondary data

Congestion, Rehabilitation, Correctional Centres, Non- Custodial Sentencing, Human Rights

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