Attitudinal Disposition of Correctional Officers’ Towards an Inmates with Mental illness in Agodi Prison, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

There is a frequently higher prevalence of mental health problems among the incarcerated population in Nigeria. However, their mental health is often neglected, leading to a complex interplay of issues that hinder effective rehabilitation and integration of offenders into society. This study examined the attitudinal disposition of correctional officers towards the mental health of an inmate in Agodi correctional home, Ibadan. This is a  cross-sectional study design and a stratified random sampling technique were used to select 200 correctional officers. A socio-demographic questionnaire and questions focusing on the stigmatization of inmates living with mental health. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to test the generated hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that there was a significant relationship between counselling service and inmate mental health (r = .621, n= 200, p < .05), there was a significant relationship between rehabilitation program and inmate mental health (r = .642, n= 200, p < .05), there was a significant relationship between welfare service and inmate mental health (r = .716, n= 200, p < .05), there was a significant relationship  between correctional officers attitude and inmates mental health (r = .731, n= 200, p < .05). This study underscored the potential consequences of negative attitudes, such as stigmatization, discrimination, and inadequate provision of mental health care, which can impede the rehabilitation and successful reintegration of inmates into society. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the attitudinal disposition of correctional officers towards inmates with mental illness is imperative.