Criminology Report: Mental Health in Nigerian Prisons and Officers

This report delves into the critical issue of mental health within Nigerian prisons, examining the challenges faced by both prisoners and correctional officers. It highlights the prevalence of mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety, and the factors contributing to these conditions, such as overcrowding, violence, and lack of resources. The report emphasizes the significant role of correctional officers and the impact of their demanding jobs on their mental well-being, including stress, burnout, and the need for support. It reviews existing literature, including studies from the World Health Organization and other researchers, to underscore the urgency of addressing mental health in the prison system. The report also identifies gaps in the current system and proposes the implementation of community-based approaches and training programs to improve mental health services for both prisoners and correctional staff. It aims to raise awareness and guide effective interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of mental illness within the Nigerian prison context.

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Running head: CRIMINOLOGY AND PENOLOGY
Criminology and Penology
Author’s Name
Institution
Professor’s Name
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Criminology and Penology
Introduction/Background
According to World Health Organization (2018), mental health is described as “a state
of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the
normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make contributions
to his or her community” (Sowunmi, Onifade, & Ogunwale, 2018, 2). Mental illness can be
defined as a psychological health disorder, which comprises distinct sorts of psychological
health issues. These disorders often affect the mood, behavior, and the thinking capability of
an individual. Some of the most ordinary issues of mental health entail schizophrenia, worry,
addictive behaviors and eating disorder. It is evident that many people have been facing the
issues of mental health that turn into illness when an individual is on continuous stress.
Mental illness often has an impact on the thoughts as well as the emotions of a person (Mayo
Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2019). According to the report published by
World Health Organization (2005), the rate of people suffering from mental disorder is high
all around the world. In this context, prisons are considered to be a bad thing for an individual
suffering from mental health issue. There are various factors that can lead the prisoners to
suffer from different psychological issues. These factors embrace overcrowding of prison,
violence, lack of privacy and enforced solitude. In addition, the other aspects comprise
insecurity and improper health services among others. These identified adverse mental health
conditions often lead the prisoners to commit suicide (World Health Organization, 2005).
Workers, who are working in the emergency along with security services, are found to
be more exposed to occupational stressors as compared to other professional groups.
Symptoms related to mental health problems that encompass depression, anxiety, restlessness
and communal dysfunction are found to weaken the quality of life among the correctional

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officers. These disorders also have severe implications with respect to the comfort of co-
workers along with the penitentiary populace. Nevertheless, the commanding impact of job
demands of correctional officers and inadequate support received from managers also affects
the mental health conditions of the officers (Kinman, Clements, & Hart, 2017). On the other
hand, prisons at times are used as dumping ground for the individuals having psychological
illness. Herein, individuals are locked up due to a lack of health services. Hence, these
identified health issues are often “unnoticed, undiagnosed and untreated” (World Health
Organization, 2005). The burden of this issue all across the globe has become a matter of
concern. 1 out of every 9 people suffers from mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression
(Nseluke & Siziya, 2011).
Contextually, Nigeria is observed to have inadequate structured services related to
correctional mental health problems, which are caused due to the persistence of socio-
economic as well as legal factors. At present, the prison environment in Nigeria is found to
have gaps in treating the prisoners. Hence, in order to overcome this gap, community-based
approach needs to be implemented into the Nigerian primary healthcare services. This
particular approach considers deliverance of quality training to the staff members by
following the suggested guidelines of World Health Organization Mental Health Gap Action
Program Intervention Guide (Ogunlesi & Ogunwale, 2018).
Aim and Objectives
Aim
The proposed study intends to highlight the mental health issues that are being faced by
the Nigerian prison/ correctional officers. In order to attain this aim, the below objectives
have been framed for the proposed research:
 To explore the mental health issues being faced by correctional officers in prisons

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 To identify the challenges that have been affecting the mental health of the
correctional officers
 To determine the mental health issues that are prevalent in the prison of Nigeria
 To identify the dilemmas that the correctional officers in Nigeria face at the time of
treating prisoners
 To comprehend the significance of correctional mental health services in the
penitentiary of Nigeria
Rationale
In the present scenario, depressive disorder is observed to be one of the undiagnosed
and untreated along with being undertreated mental health conditions in prisons (Uche &
Princewill, 2016). The reason for conducting the proposed research is to understand the
mental health dilemmas that are prevalent in the penitentiary of Nigeria and how these affect
the prison/ correctional officers. This proposed study will further help in highlighting health
issues that the correctional officers are facing in prison in general along with identifying the
challenges that they face in-depth. In addition, another important reason for conducting this
proposed research is to recognize the problem of mental health infirmity in the prisons of
Nigeria and correctional officers in details. Furthermore, through this study, the significance
of the issue can also be understood in a clear manner. Since the information related to the
mental health service in the prison of Nigeria is observed to be lacking, this study will focus
on providing the same to have an adequate understanding of the issue. “The percentage of
prisoners with psychosis is 2–5%, while the corresponding percentage for mental retardation
is less than 2%.
Regarding mental health activities in the criminal justice system, some prisons (21–
50%) have at least one prisoner per month in treatment contact with a mental health

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professional” (World Health Organization, 2006, 31). Hence, this study will further
emphasize the challenges that are faced by correctional officers in prisons, especially related
to mental health conditions. The proposed study will be conducted with the aim to develop
awareness of mental healthcare in prison, which can help in guiding effective interventions
that can be provided to the correctional officers so that any issue of mental health is
addressed from the base level. The findings to be obtained from this proposed research will
help to make better understanding of the mental health issue of Nigerian prison/correctional
officers. Therefore, this study will further provide adequate insights regarding how better care
can be provided to the correctional officers so that the concern of mental health can be
mitigated in the most appropriate way.

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Literature Review
Mental Health Issue in Prison
According to Fazel et al. (2016), there are over 10 million people who remain in prisons
at any point of time. Around 30 million prisoners are found to be circulating on an annual
basis. Past researchers have found that the rate of psychiatric disorders among the individuals
is more in prisons as compared to that in hospitals. These disorders are often found to be
highly under diagnosed and are poorly treated. In this regard, issues embracing self-harm and
suicide are found to be common among the prisoners in comparison with normal citizens
residing within distinct societies (Fazel et al., 2016). The report findings of National Audit
Office (2017) showcased that people in jails or penitentiaries are expected to get affected by
mental health problems. Based on the survey conducted in the year 1998, it was found that
around 90% of the individuals in prisons suffered from mental health issue. On a similar note,
the survey performed in 2005 depicted that out of the 1,300 prisoners who arrived in
penitentiary, 49% of them remained at the risk of depression. After screening the prisoners,
23% of them previously received some sort of mental health service (National Audit Office,
2017).
Dvoskin and Spiers (2004) inferred that correctional representatives in prisons play a
critical function in treating the prisoners in an adequate way. “Work stress is a frequent
reality for employees in virtually any capacity or discipline. For correctional staff, the
“normal” stresses of work (e.g., systemic issues, supervisory difficulties, etc.) are coupled
with daily exposure to a hostile and stressful environment. Not surprisingly, observers have
noted physical illness, substance abuse, burnout, strained family relationships, and other
negative results of stress among correctional officers” (Dvoskin & Spiers, 2004, 45). The
main responsibility of the correctional staff members is identified to provide assistance to the

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officers for maintaining security and order. Mental health interventions are not restricted for
those who are highly violent in nature, as everyone gets equal opportunity to be treated in the
prison setting. Prisoners are observed to face emotional distress and without the presence of
any kind of health service in the prisons, it is duly considered to be a crisis. Correctional
officers are highly engaged with the prisoners. Contextually, well-trained along with
conscientious correctional officers are responsible for addressing the identified issue. At the
time of communicating with the prisoners, correctional officers and the healthcare
professionals have similar goals (Dvoskin & Spiers, 2004). Based on the study findings of
Lavoie, Connolly, and Roesch (2006), the commitment of correctional officers is of utmost
significance in the implementation of rehabilitation programs in a successful manner.
According to Youngmin, Turney, and Wildeman (2017), the results of imprisonment on
the psychological health of the individuals are instantaneous. As per the observations made
by Christiana, Obiechina, and Akpan (2016), a prison is considered to be an institution in
Nigeria, which has been formed in order to provide rehabilitative along with reformatory
measures for those individuals who violate rules in the respective societies. In this context
Abdu et al. (2018) noticed that the prisoners often suffer from depression five times more
than the universal people. The prevalence of mental disorder or illness among the prisoners of
the western countries is observed to be high. This is mainly due to the fact that 1 in every 7
prisoners is found to be suffering from either psychiatric disorder or depression (Abdu et al.,
2018). Based on the study findings of Opafunso and Adepoju (2016, 1), “prison is viewed as
a physical structure within a specific geographical location which affords a unique kind of
social environment that is different from the larger society where people live according to
specialized conditions.”

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Correctional Officers in Prison
With reference to the study findings of Ferdik and Smith (2018), correctional officers
play an essential role in the prison system. This is because the officers are assigned with
various responsibilities that help in ensuring safety within the prison setting. In addition, the
position of correctional officers is highly associated with the internal danger of both physical
and mental stress. With respect to mental health, it is observed that the correctional officers
experience high-stress level along with burnout and other mental health-related consequences
due to their nature of jobs. Based on the reports presented by the Management and Training
Corporation, it is clear that stress level among the correctional officers accounts between 22%
and 33%. In the present scenario, there is no mental discipline, which emphasizes corrections.
In addition, prison institutions are found to lack resources in initiating mental health
counseling for the correctional officers. Additionally, there are no such professional
organizations that are engaged in addressing unique psychological needs of the correctional
officers (Ferdik & Smith, 2018).
Hills, Siegfried, and Ickowitz (2004) opined that it is important for all the correctional
officers to be trained for identifying the symptoms related to mental illness. In addition,
formal as well as informal mechanisms need to be implemented for staff, especially for the
correctional officers, who are suffering from mental health disorders (Hills, Siegfried, &
Ickowitz, 2004). On the other hand, Math (2011) stated that one of the main objectives of
organizational performance is the employees. In relation to correctional facility, various
challenges are faced by prison staff. As per the report of Prison Reform Trust (2010), the
risks associated with violence along with intimidation make the prison officers more stressful
and thereby increases the rate of mental health conditions at large. The event of violence can

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cause correctional or prison officers to face trauma, which can further lead to degrading their
mental health to a large extent.
According to Okwendi and Ushi (2014), working in a prison might be considered as
quite exciting and stressful as well. Warden jobs or correctional officers are perceived as a
stressful job. In addition, working in a prison influences prison staff as a stressful job. Doing
job in a prison environment can be highly stressful. Additionally, prison staff including
correctional officers significantly challenges the behavior of the offenders, which is
considered to be highly difficult. In Nigeria along with the other region of the world, it is
observed that correctional officers work hard for providing mental along with physical health
needs to the prisoners (Okwendi & Ushi, 2014). Morrison, Fitzgerald, and Dunne (2008)
inferred that overcrowding in the penitentiary leads the prison officers to feel high stress in
terms of increasing demand for job along with constraints. It can be argued in this context
that the “recent spate of prisoner unrest and demonstrations, are a result of unsuitable
conditions in the penal institutions. In the state in which the current study was undertaken, a
fire and riot occurred, during which a number of prison officers were physically assaulted and
some taken hostage for several hours” (Morrison, Fitzgerald, & Dunne 2008, 1). The effects
of such an event are observed to take place at large number.
Morrison, Fitzgerald, & Dunne (2008) recognized that correctional officers have poor
health conditions. In this context, correctional officers are found to be suffering from anxiety
by a certain level. Prison or correctional officers are exposed to various stressors, which can
act as a critical aspect for psychological along with physical wellbeing. Furthermore, the
work shifts of the correctional officers include intense mental and bodily work. There might
exist high physical immobility; however, the risks related to bodily injury always remain
there. Prison or correctional representatives in maximum-security penitentiary are often

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found to be working in highly constrained settings with low decision-making authority.
Appreciably, the settings throughout a wide range of livelihoods are noted to impose a
damaging impact on the psychological wellbeing of the officers. Thus, this particular issue
has become a major concern all round the world and needs to be prevented so as to derive
favorable results (Morrison, Fitzgerald, & Dunne 2008).
Mulligan (2014) stated that the high stress level among the correctional officers in the
prisons is apparent in Israel as well similar to that of Nigeria. This is especially observed in
police officers who are engaged with violent and aggressive inmates on a daily basis. In
addition, occupational stress has pessimistic influences on psychological as well as physical
health of the employees working in prisons. In the recent survey conducted in the Irish
prisons, it was found that 68.6% of the prison staff experienced stress on an occasional basis.
On the other hand, 17.8% of the participants were reported to experience stress on a regular
basis (Mulligan, 2014). In this regard, House of Commons (2017) asserted that NHS has
initiated training & support, which can help prison or correctional officers to enhance their
overall mental health awareness. However, there are some challenges with respect to giving
the officers sufficient time for the purpose of undertaking training so that they can prevent
themselves from serious mental health conditions (House of Commons, 2017).

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Methodology
A qualitative methodology will be followed in this proposed research in order to
generate valid findings. The rationale of selecting this particular methodology is to explore
the phenomenon and likewise address the issue identified in the proposed study (Flick, 2013).
The use of qualitative methodology is expected to help in understanding human experience
with respect to a specific setting. In addition, this research methodology comprises varied
epistemological viewpoints and interpretive approaches that can assist in obtaining
knowledge regarding the research issue on an in-depth basis (Rahman, 2017). Additionally,
the integration of qualitative analysis can assist in elaborating the events in details. “The
research methodology and methods may be reproducible but the data cannot be replicated due
to the influence of the context on individual experiences” (Jameel, Shaheen, & Majid, 2018,
2). In addition to the qualitative research approach, the proposed study will also emphasize
using secondary data to obtain relevant information related to the given topic. The reason for
using this method is that secondary data is easily available and cost-effective in nature
(Shodhganga, 2012).
The key advantage of using secondary research approach is that it is the best way to
access reliable information related to any given research topic. There are different sources of
secondary information available that will be used in the proposed study. These sources will
include journals, books and other online websites so that accurate information can be
obtained for the purpose of understanding the issue of mental health among the prison or the
correctional officers in the prisons of Nigeria. In addition, the study will focus on using
deductive approach. Contextually, deductive reasoning can be defined as a theory-testing
procedure, which focuses on developing an established theory and further seeks whether the

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speculation can be functional in a particular occasion (Hyde, 2000). In the proposed study,
deductive research approach has been used due to its several advantages.
In terms of rationale, deductive research approach can help in describing underlying
relationship variables and concepts relating to mental health issues among the prison or the
correctional officers in the Nigerian prisons. Additionally, the reason for using this approach
in the proposed study is that it helps in generalizing the overall findings. Since deductive
approach mainly focuses on using relevant information from literature sources, it can provide
reliable data on the identified research issue. This particular approach can also further assist
in obtaining sufficient data and information related to mental health issues, which are being
faced by the correctional officers in the prisons in Nigeria (Male, 2018).
Ethical Considerations
Ethical considerations can be considered as one of the most crucial aspects while
conducting a research, as these help in maintaining its overall reliability along with validity.
It is worth mentioning that ethical considerations can help in making sure that the
information, which is to be considered in a research, are reliable in nature and quite relevant
as well. Similarly, the proposed study will focus on maintaining accuracy along with
reliability in details. In this study, no misinformation will be included. Furthermore, the
proposed research will not include any type of data infringement. The sources to be used in
the proposed research will be cited properly so as to ensure that the data are taken from other
sources in the same. To enhance the reliability of this study, it will also ensure that plagiarism
is avoided to the fullest.

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Time Frame
Activities August September October November December January February March April May June
Background Reading
Proposal
Literature Review
Research Method Planning
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Submitting Draft
Discussion Conclusions
Further Drafts
Final Submission
Table 1: Time Frame

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