Re-integration of inmates and library support

What is it about?

Re-integration programs are designed to prevent recidivism after the release of inmates from prison. This study sought to establish the available programs and the level of library support for the re-integration of prison inmates in Nigeria. Inmates numbering 93 from two state prisons in southwestern Nigeria were included in this study. Data generated by questionnaire were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. The study indicated that the prisons' authority afforded the inmates re-integration programs. However, the support provided by libraries for the re-integration programs of inmates in Nigerian prisons surveyed are very limited, hence the need to advocate for a better library services.

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Why is it important?

Our findings shows that the prison inmates were mostly male between 18 and 35 years and the highest level of education completed prior to admission to prison was primary school. Some of the inmates had taken part in a program (other than in regular school) in order to improve their basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills. Four significant findings: i)Educational program- Ile-Ife prison educational program is available to all interested inmates in the prison. ii) Vocational programs -As part of the re-integration program of Ile-Ife prison, prison inmates are exposed to different vocational programs called “workshops.” The prison offers three different workshops: barbering, carpentry, and tailoring. Iii) The prison library- Ile-Ife prison does not have a standard library. iv) Advocacy for a prison library The role of the library in the re-integration of prison inmates cannot be overemphasized. In view of this, the Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library (HOL), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; and Nigerian Library Association (NLA) Osun State have embarked on outreach programs aimed at supporting the educational programs for re-integration of Ile-Ife prison inmates.

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