Factors contributing to recidivism among inmates in selected Ghana prisons

Frank Baffour employed the critical social work theory, social learning theory, and labelling perspective to explore factors contributing to recidivism in selected prisons in Ghana. Qualitative data were collected from 53 participants including 25 prison inmates who had served two or more terms of incarceration, 15 prison officers, and 13 community members. Findings suggest that reincarceration of the inmates was caused by systemic failures (overcrowding and inadequate rehabilitation) in the prisons and structural inequality in the community (labelling). Policy and practice implications are discussed