AN EXAMINATION OF THE HUMAN RIGHT ABUSES IN THE NIGERIAN PRISON SYSTEM WITH DELTA STATE AS A CASE STUDY

ABSTRACT

This research examines the human rights abuses in the Nigerian Prison System. The research was set to discuss the human right abuses prevalent in Delta State. It further went on to highlight the right of prisoners some of which include; the right to life, the right to adequate healthcare, the right to freedom from torture, etc. These rights are enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal of Republic of Nigeria as amended. Findings from the research also reveal that in as much as prisoners have rights, these rights are more often than not prone to abuse; such as poor living conditions, malnutrition, overcrowding. The research equally finds that the aftermath of these abuses results to a range of problems such as psychological effects, untimely death of prisoners, among other things. It further goes on to explain that the rights of prisoners are protected by International Conventions such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, The United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment and also by Nigerian statutes such as the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, The Nigerian Correctional Service Act. The research recommends that the government should put in place machineries for the proper implementation of policies and regulations that positively impact the welfare of prisoners. The study concludes that efforts should be made to ensure that the cardinal objectives of the prison system are rehabilitation and reformation rather than punishment and that prisoners should be treated with dignity in accordance with The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and that the rights of prisoners should be safeguarded at all cost.