DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ONLINE PRISON MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The management of prison records in Nigeria has largely depended on manual and paper-based systems, which are inefficient, time-consuming, error-prone, and vulnerable to loss or damage. These challenges have negatively affected the effective administration, security, and retrieval of inmate information within correctional facilities. This project focuses on the design and implementation of a web-based Prison Management System, using Kazaure Correctional Facility as a case study, with the aim of improving record management, data security, and operational efficiency. The study adopted a system development approach, involving analysis of the existing manual system to identify its weaknesses and requirements for improvement. The proposed system was designed to automate the processes of inmate registration, record updating, retrieval, and report generation. The system also supports tracking of admission and discharge dates, crime details, sentence duration, and inmate identification through photographs. The system was developed using PHP as the programming language, MySQL as the database management system, and HTML/CSS for the user interface. The waterfall model was adopted for system design and development. Extensive testing was carried out to ensure the functionality, reliability, and security of the system. Results from system testing showed that the developed Prison Management System significantly reduces paperwork, minimizes errors, enhances data accuracy, and improves access to inmate records. The system also provides timely notifications and efficient report generation, thereby supporting better decision-making by prison administrators. The study concludes that the adoption of a computerized Prison Management System will greatly enhance prison administration and recommends its implementation across correctional facilities in Niger