INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Criminologists have long debated whether prisons are criminogenic or rehabilitative. Arguments proposed are in support for both positions. The first factor is the criminal propensity that inmates bring with them to prison. This Criminal propensity is associated with the criminal history of inmates, which is the characteristic displayed by individual inmates. The culture of the prison also influences inmate behavior. This culture is primarily developed and constituted among inmates and also influenced by other factors. Organizational sociologists refer to this as the informal structure of the prison. The next influence is the formal organization of the prison or what others call the prison regime (Sparks, Bottoms, & Hay, 1996). This consists of the types of inmate programs, policies for staff-inmate interactions. The essential goal of prison services is to incarcerate and rehabilitate offenders to be socially and mentally fit and acceptable. The aim of reformatories, rehabilitation techniques and services such as counseling is to curtail unlawful activities, promote good behavior and create a crime free society by means of incarcerating those that had been attested guilty by the law. Reintegration to the society is also of great importance. However, evidence shows that many prison inmates who are released are soon rearrested and imprisoned again and again. The study seeks to appraise factors influencing criminal activities among akure inmates.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Many factors are associated with the criminal activities of inmates. Some crimes are psychological imbedded within the individual; some inmate’s uses elusive drugs that promote social misconduct and criminal behaviors. Some crimes are biologically linked to the parents as some crimes are serially committed in the family lineage. A handful of inmates have confessed that they cannot be separated with crime which is biologically associated. Other social factors such as homelessness and peer influence are attributed to the criminal activities of inmates. The use of Drug psychologically affect inmates and spure them into criminal activities. The problem confronting the study is to appraise the factors influencing criminal activities among akure inmates.
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The Main Objective of the study is to proffer an appraisal of the factors influencing criminal activities among akure inmates; The specific objectives include
1 To determine the nature criminal activities among inmates.
2 To determine the factors influencing criminal activities among inmates.
3 To determine the factors influencing criminal activities among akure inmates.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1 What is the nature of criminal activities among inmates?
2 What are the factors influencing criminal activities among inmates?
3 What are the factors influencing criminal activities among akure inmates?
1.5 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS
The statement of the hypothesis for the study is stated in Null as follows
Ho The level of criminal activities among akure inmates is high.
Ho The factors influencing criminal activities among akure inmates are high.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study shall attract the attention of government and relevant agencies on the need to provide facilities to make the prison a rehabilitative and correctional channel for inmates. This is pivotal to enhance an effective integration of the inmates to the wider society.
1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The study was confronted with logistics and geographical factors
1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS
RECIDIVISM DEFINED
This is the reappearance of criminal behavior after one has been released from prison.
REOFFENDERS DEFINED
Reoffender is defined as that individual who commits a crime more than two times. This is an individual; who repeats the three stages: commits a crime, get arrested and incarcerated, released, and commit a crime again. It refers to someone who has been convicted twice before the age of eighteen.
INFLUENCE DEFINED
This is the driving force towards something. The conditions that lead to an action. It is anything that may trigger the cause of action.
