INFLUENCE OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS ON CRIME PERPETRATION: A STUDY OF MALE INMATES AT CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES IN SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA
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Date
2024
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University Of Ilorin
Abstract
Studies indicate that crime rate is on increase in Nigeria. As at 2023, the country scored 7.28 (on a scale of 0-10) as against 7.15 in 2021. Based on this, Nigeria was ranked second in Africa on organised crime index. Specific socio-economic variables have been linked with crimes in Nigeria and beyond. However, most of the existing studies on the influence of socio-economicfactors on crimes were largely perceptual and conducted outside the correctional centers. Therefore, the study aimed at exploring the influence of socio-economic factors on crime perpetration among male inmates at correctional facilities in Southwest Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to: (i) examine the effect of income level on crime and perpetration among male inmates; (ii) assess the effects of employment status on crime perpetration among male inmates; (iii) examine the effects of ‘neighbourhood conditions’ on crime perpetration among male inmates; (iv) investigate the effect of educational qualification on crime perpetration amongmale inmates; (v)explore the effect of age on crime perpetration among male inmates.
The study adopted survey research design. The multi-stage sampling technique was used. Clustersampling was used to delineate the Southwest based on the existingstates. Then, simple random sampling was used to select one correctional facility from each State. The total population of inmates in the selected six (6) correctional facilities is 826, where a total of 663 convicted inmates were selected using purposive sampling technique premised on who had already been convicted. Out of 663, only 539 completely filled the questionnaire. For the in-depth interviews, three (3) staff each were selected from the chosen correctional facilities. Questionnaire was administered to collect quantitative data; while in-depth interviews were conducted to collect qualitative data. Test and re-test method was used to ensure the reliability of the instrument; while Cronbach alpha was used to determine the validity of the quantitative instrument, which yielded a coefficient of 0.76. Both descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used. Hypotheses were tested using logistic regressions; while qualitative data were analysed using content analysis.
The findings of the study were that:
inmates whose income level was low were 2.311 times more likely to continue engaging in crimes (β=2.311;p-value=0.014);
inmates who were unemployed were 2.913 times more likely to continue engaging in crimes (β=2.913;p-value=0.024);
inmates with lower educational status were 1.421 times more likely to continue engaging in crimes (β=1.421;p-value=0.010);
inmates who were younger in age were 2.045 times more likely to continue engaging in crimes (β=2.045;p-value=0.008);
inmates who lived in poor neighbourhoods were 1.971 times more likely to continue engaging in crimes (β=1.971;p-value=0.001); and
qualitative findings further showed that peer influence and family history of crime could also contribute to crime perpetration among inmates.
The study concluded that socio-economic factors significantly predict crime perpetration in Southwest, Nigeria. The study therefore recommended thatgovernment should put in place policies that will enhance income level and employment opportunities as well as improve neighbourhood conditions.
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Keywords
inmates, Crime, Perpetration, The study, P-value