An Analysis of Socio-Economic Impact of imprisonment in Nigeria

Prison populations around the world are increasing, placing enormous financial burdens on governments. There is growing recognition that imprisonment does not achieve some of its most important stated objectives, as well as being harmful to offenders, to their families and in the long-term, to the community. The majority of inmates worldwide come from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds. Poverty, unemployment, broken homes, mental illness, drug and alcoholic abuse, domestic violence are realities that are likely to be noticed in most offenders’ lives. Many are in prison for non-violent or minor offences. By using imprisonment as an answer to all offences committed by such individuals, not only is the issue of safety in the community not addressed in any sustainable manner, the cycle of impoverishment, loss of jobs, weakening of employment chances, damage to relationships, worsening of psychological and mental illnesses and continued or increased drug use is perpetuated. This study, therefore, is an attempt to look at socio-economic implication of imprisonment. In an attempt to achieve this, it was discovered that maintaining prisoners is not economically viable to the society at the same time it creates socio-economic handicap to the offenders and their families. The author indicted imprisonment as among one of the worst penal policy in recent times. He therefore, suggested other alternative to imprisonment as a palliative measure to the hard and harsh conditions associated with imprisonment. Key words: imprisonment, prison, socio-economic, impact, povert