Community Perception of Ex-Offenders and Implications on Recidivism in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Community perception of ex-offenders has a long way in determining acceptance, re-entry, re-integration and future crime status. Despite various strategies and intervention programs by government globally, ex-offenders are still finding community re-entry and re-integration difficult. And this has contributed significantly to the level of criminality in the community. Therefore, this study is designed to assess relationship between community perception of ex-offenders and the control of recidivism. The study is quantitatively designed where data were collected from 171 correctional officials and 250 recidivists using questionnaires. The correlation analysis of the study indicated a Standard Deviation of 0.065 and a P-Value of 0.001, thus establishing a positive relationship between community perception of ex-offenders and the control of recidivism.