FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO RECIDIVISM AMONG INMATES IN THE NSAWAM MEDIUM SECURITY PRISON

Abstract The high rate of recidivism in many countries questions the effectiveness of incarceration as a means to prevent crime as well as the criminal justice system. Recidivism leads to prison overcrowding and poor prison conditions. This study investigated factors that contribute to recidivism in the Nsawam Prison. The objectives of the study were to (a) find out why recidivists in the Nsawam prison re-offended, leading to their re-incarceration, (b) identify challenges faced by prison officers in rehabilitating and reforming recidivists in the Nsawam prison, (c) explore societal perceptions about recidivists in Ghana, and (d) find out whether recidivists in the Nsawam Prison experience stigmatization and discrimination. The study employed a qualitative research design and a sample of twenty participants were purposively selected. An interview guide was used to collect data from ten recidivists, five Nsawam community members, three prison officers and two police officers. The study found that recidivism is caused by three major factors and these are structural, situational, and personal or lifestyle factors. Also, the findings indicated that overcrowding and limited infrastructure in the Nsawam prison are the major challenges faced by prison officers in rehabilitating and reforming recidivists. Moreover, it was found that recidivists are perceived as bad persons and as a result they are labelled as thieves and criminals. In addition, the findings revealed that recidivists are discriminated against in employment, accommodation, and holding positions of trust in society. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the criminal justice system should reduce prison overcrowding by building additional prisons and expanding the existing ones. Another recommendation was that the justice authority should make use of other prison alternatives such as probation and parole. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for education and sensitization about the purposes of incarceration and how society can help decrease the rate of recidivism in the country.