Problems Arising from Discriminatory Treatment of Inmates of Nigerian Correctional Service

In Penal Institutions Social discrimination often poses a stumbling block to reformation and rehabilitation of inmates. Several Studies exist on treatment of inmates, however only few studies have investigated disparate treatment among High-Profile and Low-Profile Inmates of Nigerian correctional services. This study, therefore, investigated discriminatory treatment among High-Profile and Low-Profile inmates in Lagos correctional Command and its implications for reformation and rehabilitation. The research was based on Max Weber’s theory of Life chances using descriptive research design .The research used a multi-stage sampling technique. Lagos Correctional Centres were purposively selected because they were noted for keeping all classes of inmates. Taro Yamane formula was used to randomly select 299 general duty Staff and inmates across three Correctional Centres in Kirikiri and Ikoyi axes. Sixteen (16) Key Informant interviews were conducted for Staff while 51 In-depth interviews were done which included 42 Inmates and nine trained guards with experience in handling all Classes of Inmates. A larger percentage of the High-Profile Inmates were satisfied with the treatment meted out to those in custody while a larger percentage of the Low-Profile Inmates were not satisfied with their treatment The study arrived at the conclusion that discriminatory treatment of Inmates creates difficulty in control of Inmates and hampers the cardinal objective of the Correctional Service which is reformation and rehabilitation of Inmates.