Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Recidivism Panacea in Nigerian Prisons Through Digital Literacy: National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Initiatives
by Ndunagu J.N and Tanglang N.

Abstract:
One of the serious challenges facing the Nigerian Prison System and the society at large is the problem of recidivism. Recidivism is the return to criminal behavior after release of inmates and it has a lot of negative impact, such as jeopardy to public safety, increase in the population of prison inmates, higher cost to tax payer, higher budgetary demand and budgetary cuts. From many researches the major cause of recidivism is lack of basic social and educational skills that the inmates need to function in society after release. The objective of this paper is to bring to fore the initiatives of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in providing training to inmates, with skills and knowledge to explore the most common productivity software applications (Word Processor, Spread Sheet Programs and Presentation Programs) to be used in business, in education, and at home, so as to compete with their peers once released from jail and subsequently making them self-reliant. Education especially in Information Technology (IT) is a tool necessary for self-employment. NOUN and Centre for Human Recourse Development in collaboration with the Kaduna State Ministry of Justice executed the training. Two batches, totaling 50 prison inmates have undergone the exercise. The duration of the training was twelve weeks, with two weeks of theory and ten weeks of practical. From the analysis of the participants, 72% were without formal education, with this high percentage of non-formal education, it should not come as a surprise if many of those released from prison or jail will eventually return. In conclusion, it was recommended that, more of NOUN initiatives on digital literacy should be extended to other prison yards in the country in order to empower inmates with basic skills which in the long run will reduce the rate of recidivism in Nigeria.

Keywords: Recidivism, Capacity Building, Software Applications, Prison Inmates, Digital Literacy

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