Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2018 Incarceration of Nonviolent Offenders at the High Court in Oyo State, Nigeria Olugbenga Rotimi Akanji Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Criminology Commons, and the Criminology and Criminal Justice Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Olugbenga Akanji has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Heather Mbaye, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Gregory Koehle, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. John Walker, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2017 Abstract Incarceration of Nonviolent Offenders at the High Court in Oyo State, Nigeria by Olugbenga Rotimi Akanji MS, Southern University at New Orleans, 2009 LLB, University of Ibadan, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University November 2017 Abstract The nonuse of community correction in the Nigeria criminal justice system has led to increased recidivism, contributed to prison congestion, introduced the risk of prison victimization, and lacked the provision of a rehabilitative structure for nonviolent offenders. The purpose of this phenomenological research study was to explore Nigerian judges’ use of alternatives to incarcerations for nonviolent offenders. Dolinko retributive punishment theory provided the theoretical framework for this study. Ten participant judges comprised the study sample from a purposeful and criterion random sampling method. Data were collected from participants through structured interviews and were coded manually, sorted, and analyzed using the Saldana data coding process framework. According to study findings, judges were inclined to use alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders. Also, community correction could reduce overcrowding in prisons and provide the opportunity for self-improvement for nonviolent offenders supervised in the community. The implications for positive social change include a better understanding and implementation of community corrections for Nigeria judiciary and policymakers and the use of alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders, which would improve rehabilitation, reformation, and reintegration of offenders into society. Incarceration of Nonviolent Offenders at the High Court in Oyo State, Nigeria by Olugbenga Rotimi Akanji MS, Southern University at New Orleans, 2009 LLB, University of Ibadan, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University November 2017 Dedication I dedicate my dissertation to the Almighty God who is my heavenly Father. I thank God for everything that He has done for me, accomplished through me, for all that I am, and will ever become. God is my rock of Gibraltar and the wind beneath my wings. God makes me soar on eagles' wings (Isaiah 40:31). He is my refuge. My God, in whom I trust (Psalm. 91: 2). Also, I dedicate this work to my parents, Dr. (Mrs.) Modupe Ogunmodede, Mr. Peter Ogunmodede, and Mr. Samuel Akanji. The prayer, love, support, and encouragement I receive from my parents were exceptional. I am most grateful to my parents. I am also grateful to my wife, Mary Akanji, and children, Daniel and Ariel Akanji. I give special thanks to my wife and children for the demonstration of love shown to me and the sacrifice they endured during my entire writing of my dissertation. I also dedicate my dissertation to my siblings, Opeyemi and Ibukun Ogunmodede. They believed that I could attain my goal of completing my dissertation. I would also want to express my appreciation to my uncles, aunts, nephews, and nieces. Specifically, I am grateful to Pastor Shodimu and Mr. Oladipupo who have been remarkable with words of encouragement that uplift my spirit. Acknowledgments I would like to give my profound gratitude to my committee members, Dr. Heather A. D. Mbaye (chairperson) and Dr. Gregory Koehle (committee member). I appreciate the immense knowledge, guidance, and contribution to my dissertation. I am grateful for successfully steering my dissertation to a successful completion. I will also want to show gratitude to the University Research Reviewer (URR), Dr. John Walker. I appreciated Dr. Walker’s immense contribution and in-depth understanding of the research study. I would also like to express my gratitude to Dr. Penny, Dr. Harrell, and Dr. Amedee for the advice, inspiration, and motivation. I would like to express my profound gratitude to the entire leadership, ministry of Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans family, and residential reentry center for giving me the opportunity to advance and make progress in my professional career. Finally, I would like to extend my gratitude to the entire leadership (Pastor and First Lady Singleton) and members of Community Church of God in Christ. I thank you for the prayers and word of encouragement during the completion of my dissertation. Table of Contents List of Tables.................................................................................................................. iv Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ............................................................................... 1 Background of Problem ............................................................................................. 4 Problem Statement ..................................................................................................... 5 Purpose of the Study .................................................................................................. 9 Research Question ................................................................................................... 10 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................ 10 Nature of the Study .................................................................................................. 11 Definition ................................................................................................................ 11 Assumptions ............................................................................................................ 13 Scope and Delimitations .......................................................................................... 13 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 13 Significance ............................................................................................................. 14 Summary ................................................................................................................. 16 Chapter 2: Literature Review ......................................................................................... 18 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 18 Literature Search Strategy ........................................................................................ 19 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................ 19 Literature Review .................................................................................................... 22 Imprisonment of Nonviolent Offenders ........................................................ 22 Relevance of Community Corrections .......................................................... 25 i The Use of Probation for Nonviolent Offenders............................................ 29 Nigeria Statutes on Incarceration .................................................................. 32 Summary and Conclusion ........................................................................................ 34 Chapter 3: Research Method .......................................................................................... 36 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 36 Research Design and Rationale ................................................................................ 36 Role of the Researcher ............................................................................................. 37 Methodology ........................................................................................................... 38 Participants Selection Logic ......................................................................... 38 Instumentation.............................................................................................. 40 Recruitment Participation & Data Collection ...............................................