APPRAISING THE PROVISIONS OF THE NIGERIAN CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ACT IN THE LIGHT OF INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS ON THE RIGHTS OF PRISONERS.

OBIDIGBO, MMESOMA FAVOUR (2026) APPRAISING THE PROVISIONS OF THE NIGERIAN CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ACT IN THE LIGHT OF INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS ON THE RIGHTS OF PRISONERS. Other thesis, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu.

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Abstract

The Nigerian Correctional Services Act, is a legislative intervention in Nigeria’s criminal justice administration. The Act repealed the Prisons Act of 1972, marking a transition from a colonial law which emphasizes retribution to a law which emphasizes reformation and rehabilitation, humane treatment of offenders, and successful integration of offenders into the society after their release from prison. The main thrust of this research is to evaluate the provisions of the Act on the rights of prisoners and compare them with the relevant international human rights instruments which Nigeria is a party to. The research also reveals the reality on ground as regards the implementation of the provisions of the Act. The research reveals that whereas the Act has complied with international instruments in terms of provisions, the implementation of these provisions has fallen short of the minimum standards. According to the research, the Nigerian prison currently operates at the population of between 136 and 200% of its capacity, with an awaiting trial population of 66% as at 2025. The prison population faces serious health challenges, including Tuberculosis, which is twenty times more prevalent in Nigeria’s prisons than in the general population. Corruption in the prison system including bribery and diversion of funds estimated at the cost of NGN 5 billion per year, high recidivism rate. The study reveals that though the Nigerian Correctional Services Act, has achieved high level of compliance with international human rights instruments, it has however achieved low level of implementation. The research concludes that even though the Nigerian Correctional Services Act has complied with Nigeria’s international obligations, the implementation of the Act is a necessary tool towards ensuring the realization of the rights of prisoners as enshrined in the Act. Political will, financial commitment, structural reform are needed if the Act will achieve its purpose. Effective implementation of the Act will lead to reduction of the rate of recidivism to about 43%, attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal 16, and will transform the Nigerian prison from a ‘school for crime’ to a correctional facility.

Item Type:	Thesis (Other)
Subjects:	K Law > K Law (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences > School of Law
Depositing User:	COMFORT AJALA
Date Deposited:	24 Jul 2026 11:03
Last Modified:	24 Jul 2026 11:03
URI:	http://eprints.gouni.edu.ng/id/eprint/5926

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