AN OVERVIEW OF ADULT EDUCATION CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR NIGERIAN PRISON’S INMATES: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

Adult education plays an important role in the reintegration, improvement, empowerment and rehabilitation of confined persons. The transformation of the Nigerian Prisons Service into a Correctional Service under its Service Act of 2019 reflects a policy shift from a primarily protective and disciplinary orientation to a correctional approach that emphasises reformation, restoration, and the reintegration of prison inmates. Within this framework, education and vocational training are important tools for preparing inmates to participate productively in society after release. This paper, however, provides an overview of adult education correctional programmes available to inmates in Nigerian correctional centres. The paper examines its relevance to inmates’ rehabilitation and social reintegration, identifies major challenges to effective implementation of programme policies, and discusses prospects for improving quality and accessibility. The literature reviewed covers adult basic literacy, secondary education, vocational and technical education, computer and digital literacy, entrepreneurship education, agricultural education, religious and moral education, life-skills education, and counselling-related programmes. Major challenges include inadequate funding, overcrowding, inadequate instructional facilities, a shortage of qualified adult education teachers, security constraints, limited access to digital technology, weak coordination among stakeholders, insufficient needs assessment, irregular programme participation, transfer of inmates, etc. This paper thus maintains that correctional education should be treated not merely as an optional welfare activity but as a central component of evidence-informed rehabilitation and human-capital development in prison services. The paper recommends needs-based educational assessment, increased public funding, stronger partnerships with universities and technical institutions, digital learning, professional development for correctional educators, recognition of educational qualifications acquired in custody, improved monitoring and evaluation, individualised learning plans and stronger post-release educational and employment support services for sustainable reintegration of Nigerian inmates.