AN ASSESSMENT ON THE POOR REHABILITATION OF INMATES IN NIGERIAN CORRECTIONAL CENTERS: A CASE STUDY OF BAUCHI CORRECTIONAL CENTER, BAUCHI STATE.

ABSTRACT This study investigates the challenges of rehabilitation and reformation of inmates at Bauchi Correctional Center, Nigeria. Despite the legal mandate for rehabilitation, the Nigerian correctional system faces significant obstacles, including overcrowding, inadequate resources, and ineffective rehabilitation programs. This research employs a descriptive design, utilizing structured questionnaires to collect data from 130 male inmates. Key objectives include assessing the available rehabilitation services, the role of vocational training, and the infrastructural challenges faced by inmates. Findings reveal that recreational activities and vocational training positively influence inmate rehabilitation, while overcrowding severely hampers effective rehabilitation efforts. The study underscores the urgent need for improved funding, enhanced vocational training programs, and the reconstruction of correctional facilities to promote successful reintegration of inmates into society. Recommendations include the establishment of additional skills acquisition programs and the hiring of more support professionals to enhance rehabilitation services. This research contributes to the broader discourse on criminal justice reform in Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of a rehabilitative approach within the correctional system. Keywords: Rehabilitation, Inmates, and Correctional Centers.