A SURVEY OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICE IN BENIN PRISONS

ABSTRACT

This study investigates social welfare service in Benin prisons. In doing this, the study sort to identify the types of social welfare services are presently offered in Nigerian prisons, examine if the social welfare services presently available in Nigerian prisons are adequate to address the requirements of inmates, determine hindrances that inmates must confront in obtaining social welfare services in Nigerian prisons and provide recommendations that will improve social welfare service in Benin prisons. To guide this study, five research questions were raised. The design of the study was a survey research design. The population target of this study comprised of 100 inmates in Benin prisons. The research instruments used in gathering data was the questionnaire, which were administered to the inmates. Percentages frequency was used to analyze the research questions. The findings revealed few social welfare for inmates, although some specific type of social welfare services have shown more positive outcome in terms of inmates rehabilitation, social welfare available were not enough address their needs and prepare them for life outside prisons. Factors affecting social welfare were overcrowding, logistical challenge, level of social welfare awareness among inmates, cultural and societal stigmas. Measures to improve social welfare services in prison include research and evaluation mechanism can be established to continually access the effectiveness of social welfare services in Nigeria prisons, leveraging on technology and digital solutions to streamline the delivery of social welfare services in Nigeria prisons, creation of awareness and advocacy campaigns to promote the importance of social welfare services in Nigeria prisons system and training and capacity building of prison staffs and volunteers involved in delivering social welfare services. On the basis of the findings, it was therefore recommended that government should funding and resource allocation for social welfare services to address infrastructure and staffing gaps, develop and implement comprehensive policies that prioritize social rehabilitation and reintegration within the prison system.