ASSESSMENT OF OKO PRISON ADMINISTRATION AND CRIME REDUCTION

Abstract

This study focused on an assessment of Oko Prison Administration and crime reduction in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. The study adopted the survey design using simple random sampling technique. A sample of 150 respondents was selected for the study. The study adopted the percentage and chi-square method of analysis to analyse the data sourced from administration of the questionnaire. The results revealed that there is relationship between effective prison administration and reduction in criminal activities among inmates in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. There is relationship between prisons administrative strategies and rehabilitation of prison inmates from crimes in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. There is significant relationship between prison administration serves as reliable instrument for control behavioual problem amongst inmates in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. The study recommended that provision of adequate funds to build more Prisons to accommodate prison inmates. Nigeria today is a federation of thirty-six (36) states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, making thirty-seven (37) with seven hundred and ninety (790) Local Government Areas. But unfortunately, we can boast of only two hundred and twenty-seven (227) Prisons yard. This situation only encourages congestions in the available Prisons and high level of criminality in areas where there is no Prison yard. Secondly, the Federal government should provide enough funds for the Prisons Service so that Awaiting Trial Prisoners could also be trained alongside the convicted Prisoners to acquire various skill in furniture making, shoe-making and Tailoring e.t.c. S. that they can also be opened-out to move from their cells to the workshops every working days so that the process of ware housing Awaiting Trial Prisoners for weeks, months and years will be a thing of the past. And when they eventually leave the Prison, they can fend for themselves without taking to crime anymore.