Remembering the Forgotten: Benefits of Prison Education for Awaiting Trial Inmates in Nigeria

Abstract

Awaiting trial inmates (ATIs) make up over 60% of the Nigerian prison population. They are not classed as criminals/convicts within the prison system. Therefore, they are excluded from rehabilitation training, subjected to indefinite terms of confinement and enjoy fewer rights than convicted prisoners. This paper explores the practical characteristics of ATIs and factors militating against their inclusion in rehabilitative educational activities in prison. The paper argues that ATIs' inclusion in such programmes is a means of preventing their criminalisation and promoting rehabilitation pending their trial and conviction/release.// Paper ID 98