Revamping the Conditions of Awaiting Trial Inmates in Nigeria: Experience from Kwara State Correctional Facilities

Abubakar S. Yushai Alfakoro; Olabisi Hakeem Olalekan

doi:10.32890/jgd2025.21.2.1

Authors

Abubakar S. Yushai Alfakoro Department of Politics & Governance, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria
Olabisi Hakeem Olalekan Oke Ogun Polytechnic Saki, Oyo State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32890/jgd2025.21.2.1

Keywords:

Awaiting trial, convicted inmates, correctional service, criminal justice system

Abstract

The paper aims to gauge the perceptions of awaiting trial inmates across correctional facilities in Kwara State, Nigeria. This research also intends to uncover the state or conditions of inmates awaiting trial in relation to the statutory functions of correctional services as stipulated in the Nigerian 1979, 1989, and 1999 constitutions as amended, as well as other reforms on the criminal justice act. The methodology adopted for this research purpose was the descriptive survey design method. Data collection procedures consisted of both primary and secondary materials sources. Principal information was collected by administering questionnaire forms to inmates awaiting trial, while the secondary data consisted of the internet, websites, journals published theses, etc. The study revealed that corruption, favoritism, poor hygiene, hard labor, and health issues have major challenges across correctional facilities. It was also discovered that there are no clear-cut differences in the treatment and handling of convicted criminals from inmates awaiting trial in correctional facilities. The study recommended improvement in conditions of service for correctional officers. It also advocates for the adoption of information and communications technology (ICT) within correctional facilities, and there should be segregation of convicted criminals from awaiting trial inmates, among other recommendations. This study will no doubt contribute to existing knowledge in criminal justice systems and will help countries know the antecedent effect of increased awaiting trial on correctional facilities, their staff, state security, and government expenditure and, finally, how it could be addressed.

References

Adebisi, K. S., & Oyewo, O. O. (2015). Prisons and security challenges in a democratic Nigeria. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 5(6), 2224-5766.

Ajah, B. O., & Okpa, J. T. (2019). Digitalization as a solution to the problem of awaiting-trial inmates in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences, 14(2), 99-20.

Ajah, B. O., Uzochukwu, C. C., Ajah, I. A., & Okpa, J. T. (2022). Behind bars but not sentenced: The role of computerized central repository in addressing awaiting-trial problems in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. International Journal of Criminal Justice Studies, 17(1), 1–15.

Alemika, E. E. O. & Chukwuma, I. C. (2001). Juvenile justice administration in Nigeria: Philosophy and practice. Lagos: Center for Law Enforcement Education.

Ayo, A. O. (2008). The Reformer, a bulletin of Nigerian prison service/changing the face of deviance, Vol 4, No. 4.

Ayodele, E. O., & Alabi, O. M. (2011). Abandonment of construction projects in Nigeria: Causes and effects. Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences, 2, 142-145.

Bamgbose, O. (2010). The sentence, the sentencer, the sentenced: Towards penal reform in Nigeria, Ibadan, Ibadan University Press.

Chukwudi, F. (2012). Challenges of reforms in the Nigerian prison system: Lessons from the USA and South Africa. Journal of Social Science and Public Policy, 4(9), 35-46.

Dambazau A. B. (2007). Criminology and criminal justice (2nd Ed.). Ibadan: University Press.

Ewelukwa, B. N. (2004). Introduction to Nigerian press law. Onitsha: Varsity Publishing Co. Ltd.

Grace, A. R. (2014). An assessment of prison overcrowding in Nigeria: Implications for rehabilitation, reformation and reintegration of inmates. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 19, 21-26. ICPS, International Center for Prison Studies. www.prisonstudies.org.

Kehinde A. Aliyu, Jamaludin, B., Mustafa, & Norruzeyati, M. Nasir. (2016). The difficulties of staff welfare in the organization of Nigeria prison service: An investigation of Oke Kura prison Kwara State. International Seminar on Generating Knowledge through Research University Utara Malaysia.

Nelson, M. cited in Ejiofor, O. N. (2012). Prison administration in Nigeria. The Reformer, a Bulletin of the Nigerian Prison Service, Pp 66-69.

Nigerian Prisons Service Annual Report. (2014). Statistical information. www.prisons.gov.ng.

Nweze, G. (2012). Education in prison: The benefits of the inmate education in prison program. Aba: Ami printing press.

Nwolise, O. B. C. (2010). “Bridging the funding gap in corrections: The urgent need for increased financial vitamins in African prisons service” in Igbinedion Journal of Diplomacy and Strategy. (p. 239) Journal of Governance and Development, Vol. 21, Number 2 (July) 2025, pp: 1-

Obioha, E. E. (2011). Challenges and reforms in the Nigeria prisons system. Journal of Social Sciences, 27(2), 95-109.

Oduyela, S. (September 23, 2003). Prisons of horror. Nigeria World. nigeriaworld.com/ feature/publication/oduyela /092303.html

Ogundipe, M.A. (2011) Health expenditure and Nigerian economic growth. European Journal of Economics, Finance and Administrative Sciences, 30, 125-129.

Ogundipe. (2009). Delay in criminal trials: Consequences on nascent trial. A paper presented at All Nigeria Judges Conference at National Judicial Institute November 23-27, 2009.

Okorie Ajah, Cyril O. Ugwuoke, Bonaventure Nwokeoma, & Rebecca Nnamani. (2020). Ameliorating the plight of awaiting-trial inmates in Ebonyi State, Nigeria through reasonable bail conditions. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 28(4), 2897-2911.

Orakwe I. W. (2005). ‘Killing the Nigerian prisons through prosecutorial ineptitude.’ The Reformer, 2(1): 45–48. Abuja: Nigerian Prisons Service.

Orjiakor, C. T., Ugwu, D. I., Eze, J. E., Ugwu, L. I., Ibeagha, P. N., & Onu, D. U. (2017). Prolonged incarceration and prisoners’ wellbeing: Lived experiences of awaiting trial/pre-trial/remand prisoners in Nigeria. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 12(1), 1395677. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2017.1395677

Oshodi, J. E. (2010, August 10). Nigerian prisoners: An open letter to Mr President. Next Newspaper, pp4.

Oti, I. C. (2016). 80 percent of the inmates in Nigeria prisons have not even been tried in court.

Schubert, J. (2018). What is the criminal justice system? - definition, components & problems. Study.com. https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-the-criminaljustice-system-definitioncomponents-problems.

Usman, E. (March 2, 2013). Nigeria prisons: Our travails, triumphs, inmates open up. Vanguard Newspaper.

Walmsley, R. (2012). World pre-trial/Remand imprisonment list. (2nd ed.). International Centre for Prison Studies. October 30, 2022. www.prisonstudies.org

World Prison Population Lists (2008, 8th ed.). International Centre for Prison Studies. http://www.prisonstudies.org/images/news-events/wppl9.pdf.

World Prison Population Lists (2011, 9th ed.). International Centre for Prison Studies. http://www.prisonstudies.org/images/news-events/wppl9.pdf.