Public perceptions and attitudes towards ex-offenders and their reintegration in Nigeria: a mixed method study

Ike, TJ, Jidong, DE ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5034-0335, Ike, ML and Ayobi, EE, 2023. Public perceptions and attitudes towards ex-offenders and their reintegration in Nigeria: a mixed method study. Criminology and Criminal Justice. ISSN 1748-8958 (Forthcoming)

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Abstract

Reintegrating ex-offenders into society poses a significant global challenge, yet, it is fundamental to reducing recidivism. Nevertheless, there is research paucity exploring public perceptions and attitudes toward ex-offenders and their reintegration in Nigeria. This study makes an original contribution, drawing on a mixed-method approach underpinned by positivist and interpretivist epistemology to understand attitudes toward ex-offenders’ reintegration and whether there is a positive association between the level of education and the likelihood of accepting ex-offenders into society. In total, 1187 respondents completed survey questionnaires from states representing Nigeria’s main geopolitical zones affected by conflict. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The qualitative analysis involved a unique combination of social identity and boundary theories. The quantitative ambit reveals a correlation coefficient of r= .025, denoting a negative association between the level of education and reintegration. The qualitative analysis further finds a lack of confidence in ex-offenders genuine reintegration coupled with the perceived role of community trauma, which collectively fuels a negative social identity against the ex-offenders. Collectively, insight gained from the findings advances our knowledge on improving reintegration in countries affected through addressing trauma and stigma to encourage the successful reintegration of ex-offenders and avoid recidivism.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Criminology and Criminal Justice
Creators:	Ike, T.J., Jidong, D.E., Ike, M.L. and Ayobi, E.E.
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Date:	4 April 2023
ISSN:	1748-8958
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1177/17488958231181987 DOI 1766661 Other
Rights:	Accepted for publication in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Reuse is restricted to non-commercial and no derivative uses.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Laura Ward
Date Added:	01 Jun 2023 07:30
Last Modified:	01 Jun 2023 07:30
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/49099

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