ANALYSIS OF THE PATTERNS OF CRIME AMONG AWAITING TRIAL INMATES IN SELECTED CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The criminal patterns of Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATIs) at three particular Nigerian correctional facilities - Ikoyi Correctional Facility, Enugu Central Correctional Facility, and Kano Central Correctional Facility are investigated in this study. Based on information gathered by Prison Reform Advocacy and Welfare Action (PRAWA), the study examines differences in the types of offences for which ATIs are detained across these three places, which are socio-culturally and geographically distinct. The results show notable regional differences: rape cases were highest in Kano at 18.3%, compared to 4.5% in Enugu and 4.4% in Ikoyi; armed robbery accounted for 37.0% of ATIs in Enugu, compared to 17.2% in Kano and 10.2% in Ikoyi; and drug abuse offences were most common in Kano (7.5%) and Ikoyi (7.2%).Crime Pattern Theory, which connects the spatial distribution of offences to the social, economic, and environmental structures of each area, is used to analyse these differences. To better address these patterns, the study suggests greater inter-agency cooperation, increased use of non-custodial punishment, and contextualised, environment-centred crime-control solutions.