ASSESSMENT OF WELFARE EMOLUMENTS OF AWAITING TRIAL PERSONS IN OWERRI AND AWKA CITIES CORRECTIONAL CENTERS IN SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA

Abstract

The study generally assessed the welfare of Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs) in Owerri and Awka Prisons. It aimed at investigating five research questions and three hypotheses, which were used in assessing the welfare of ATPs in Owerri and Awka Prisons in South-East, Nigeria. Three theories were reviewed in this study. These theories were Marxian Theory of Crime, Social Bond Theory and Social Structure-Based Theory. All these theories gave insight and were used to explain the social problem in this discourse. Marxian Theory of Crime and Social Structure-Based Theory of Functionalism formed the Theoretical Framework, which were used to explain the
problem of the study. Quota Sampling and Systematic Random Sampling procedure were used to select 384 respondents for the study. The study groups covered male and female ATPs in Owerri and Awka prisons who were 18 years and above. Data collection from the field was done using qualitative and quantitative instruments, which were Focused Group Discussion (FGD) and Questionnaire respectively. Responses generated through the FGD were analysed using content analysis, while the Questionnaire was analysed using Frequency Distribution Table and Simple Percentage. Three Hypotheses were tested in this study using Chi-square (x2) statistical method. The research found among other things that, improper treatments are given to ATPs in Owerri and Awka Prison custody. Hence, this study among other things, recommends the need for adequate treatments for persons awaiting trial in Nigerian Prisons custody.