Entrepreneurship Programmes and Employment Assistance as Correlates of Recidivism Reduction Among Ex-Convicts in Abia State Correctional Centres, Nigeria 0 0
Keywords:
entrepreneurship programmes, employment assistance, recidivism, ex-convicts, Nigerian correctional centres, economic rehabilitationAbstract
The problem of recidivism in Nigerian correctional institutions has attracted limited scholarly attention relative to its magnitude, and even less empirical inquiry has examined economic empowerment-focused rehabilitation mechanisms. This study investigates the relationship between entrepreneurship programmes and employment assistance programmes on recidivism rates among ex-convicts in Abia State Correctional Centres, Nigeria, using primary data from a census survey of 1,094 respondents across the Aba, Umuahia, and Arochukwu custodial centres. Two hypotheses were tested using simple linear regression at a 0.05 significance level: that entrepreneurship programmes have no significant effect on recidivism rate; and that there is no significant relationship between employment assistance programmes and recidivism rate. Findings revealed that entrepreneurship programmes (R = .312, F (1,1093) = 21.472, p < .000) and employment assistance programmes (R = .112, F(1,1093) = 11.003, p < .001) both significantly predict recidivism rates. Anchored in Social Bond Theory, and Strain Theory, the study concludes that economic self-sufficiency pathways whether through self-employment or structured labour market access are essential to sustainable recidivism reduction. Policy recommendations emphasize programme expansion, employer incentive frameworks, and startup grant mechanisms within Nigerian correctional reform
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