BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE OFFENDER REHABILITATION AND REINTEGRATION IN BAUCHI CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES: A MIXED-METHODS ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURAL, CULTURAL, AND RELIGIOUS DETERMINANTS

Abstract This mixed-methods study investigated the structural, cultural, and religious barriers impeding offender rehabilitation and reintegration in Bauchi State’s correctional facilities. A sequential explanatory design integrated quantitative surveys (*n* = 387 community members/staff) with qualitative focus groups (15 Ulama, 42 stakeholders). Findings revealed severe systemic gaps: rehabilitation budgets averaged 8% (vs. 15% international benchmark), staff-to-inmate ratios reached 1:103, and psychological services covered only 22% of inmates (Nigerian Correctional Service, 2023). Key barriers included: Community stigma (β = 0.73, *p* < .001), particularly toward hudud offenders (terrorism, zina), driving 12-month recidivism; Sharia-compliance conflicts, reducing program fidelity by 42% for hudud rehabilitation; Resource deficiencies, where sub-15% budget allocations correlated with 2.7× higher recidivism (χ² = 12.35, *p* < .001) Participatory co-design produced the Bauchi Offender Rehabilitation Protocol (BORP), integrating Maqasid al-Sharia (faith, life, intellect, lineage, property) with trauma-informed care and Sulh mediation. BORP demonstrated 35% higher engagement (*t* = 3.89, *p* = .02) than conventional models (Recommendations include legislative amendments aligning rehabilitation with Maqasid al-Sharia, stigma-reduction campaigns co-led by Ulama, and budget reforms targeting 25% rehabilitation funding by 2030. This study advances culturally responsive forensic psychology in plural legal systems, advocating for justice-oriented rehabilitation in Northern Nigeria. Keywords: Offender rehabilitation, reintegration barriers, Sharia compliance, stigma, Bauchi Correctional Facilities, Maqasid al-Sharia, BORP protocol