Personal Characteristics and Substance Abuse Tendencies among Inmates of Correctional Centres in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined personal characteristics on substance abuse tendencies among inmates of correctional centers in Cross River State, Nigeria. To achieve the purpose of this study four research questions and four hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Survey research design was adopted for the study. A population of 790 was used, with a sample size of 392. The sample was selected through stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The instrument (ISAT) was used for data collection and was validated by vetting of experts. The reliability estimate of the instruments was established through Cronbach Alpha reliability method. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results are presented in mean, standard deviation and percentage. The results of the analysis revealed that, occupation, educational qualification, marital status, gender, and ethnic group significantly influenced substance abuse tendencies among inmates of correctional centers in Cross River State. Based on the findings of the study it was concluded that occupation, educational qualification, marital status, gender, and  ethnic group significantly influenced substance abuse among inmate of correctional centres and recommended that the substance abuse treatment should not be tailored to age only but should be sensitive to both young and older inmates and also measures should be put in place to set up correctional centres curriculum for inmates and finally mental health and psychosocial services should be offered to every inmate going into the correctional centres to prepare their minds for the life in incarceration.