Speaking from Behind Bars: A Survey on Women Inmates in Katsina and Kano Prisons, Nigeria

Abstract:

This study explored the sociodemographic markers of women inmates, the types of crime they indulged in, the predisposing factors for their criminal behaviour as well as the consequences of their offence. It was a self-report descriptive study, and a population survey was used. A total of 42 inmates were administered a questionnaire. It was found that most of the inmates were in their young age, mostly married, many with no formal education and a large number of them were self-employed. Also, most of them were involved in domestic violence and prostitution; the involvements were significantly related to their sociodemographic attributes. For most of the inmates, poverty and unemployment were the main predisposing factors for their crimes. The main consequences of women crime were broken homes and stigmatisation. Recommendations are, therefore, offered to governments and other stakeholders on the ways to reduce the problem of women involvement in crimes.