Effectiveness of Parole Services in Supporting Ex-Offenders' Reintegration into Nigeria Communities

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of parole services in supporting ex-offenders' reintegration into Nigerian communities. The study adopted the descriptive survey method. Three (3) objectives guided the study while three (3) research questions were raised for the study. The study adopted the sample random sampling technique to select 50 ex-offenders currently on parole, 50 parole officers from Correctional Service Owerri and 70 community leaders from selected communities in Imo State totaling 170 respondents.  A 30 item questionnaire titled “Effectiveness of Parole Services in Supporting Ex-Offenders' Reintegration into Nigeria Communities (QEPSERNC) was used to elicit relevant information from the respondents. The instrument was validated by experts in the field of Adult Education and a reliability coefficient of 0.87 was obtained using a test retest method from a group of 10 respondents outside the sample size. The response was based on a 4 point Likert scale and was patterned using Strongly Agreed (SA), Agreed (A), Disagreed (D) and Strongly Disagreed (SD). The research questions were answered using mean. The following findings were made, that: parole services provide adequate support for ex-offenders' reintegration, parole officers are effective in facilitating ex-offenders' reintegration and parole services address the specific needs of ex-offenders were inadequately provided by parole services for ex offenders; that parole services are inadequate across multiple dimensions; that inadequate funding, insufficient infrastructure, and lack of trained personnel are the major challenges facing parole services in Nigeria, that facilitating access to employment and education for ex-offenders, increasing funding for parole services and strengthening family support systems were some of the ways to improve parole system. Based on the findings recommendations were made and conclusions drawn.