Availability of Social Support Among Inmates of Maximum-Security Prisons, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract:

Social support in the prison system is an essential aspect of rehabilitation programme for the incarcerated indviduals who have no control over decisions being made as regard their daily living during the period of incarceration. This study assessed the social supports available to the inmates of Maximum Security Prisons in Southwest Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was employed for the study and the target population were the inmates Maximum Security Prisons in Southwest Nigeria. Three hundred and forty (340) participants from the maximum prisons were used for the study. An adapted questionnaire of multidimensional scale of perceived social support was used to collect data from the participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive tools and results presented in tables depicting frequencies and percentages. The findings shows that 71% were males and 29% were females; 124 (36.9%) were below 25 years of age and 122 (35.8%) were between 26 and 35 years; 151 (45%) were married, 152 (45%) single and 37 (11%) were separated. Social support was low from family and friends with mean score of 2.84 and 2.49 respectively while NGOs and correctional officers’ support were 3.45 and 4.34 respectively. The study concluded that respondents’ social support were inadequate from their family and friends whereas, correctional officers and non-governmental organizations were supportive in spite of social stigma in the society. Keywords: Correctional Officers, Incarceration, Inmates, Social Support,