UNEMPLOYMENT, PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMAS AND RECIDIVISM IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated unemployment, psychological traumas and recidivism and their relationships in Port Harcourt Maximum Security Correctional Centre in Rivers State, Nigeria. Two objectives and two hypotheses were generated for the study. Survey design was adopted for the study. The population was all recidivists in Port Harcourt Maximum Security Correctional Centre. A sample of 600 respondents was randomly selected for the study through the use of simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. A questionnaire was used for data collection. The instrument was face validated by professionals in Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Choba. A reliability value of 0.86 Correlation Co-efficient was established for the study. Bolographic data of the respondents were analyzed using percentage and a frequency table while the hypotheses for the study were tested at .05 level of significance using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The results of the analyses revealed that unemployment among recidivists significantly related to recidivism and as well psychological traumas on recidivists significantly related to recidivism. Based on the findings, the study recommended, among others that the State Government should, through its intervention agencies work to improve on the socio-economic life of the recidivists as well as the entire society, and also the recidivists should be encouraged to uphold and exhibit positive values and behaviours such as honesty and respect for dignity of labour in the study area. In other words, they should be encouraged to show decency in their behaviours and also work to earn their living.