Profile and sexual practices of inmates in a correctional service facility in north-west Nigeria

Abstract

Prisoners are not exempted from sexual desire. Therefore, sexual activity is continuous in various forms behind bar, regardless of the stringent rules. However, little is known about such behaviours during incarceration in Katsina State, Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the sociodemographic and forensic characteristics as well as sexual practices among prison inmates in Katsina. A descriptive cross-sectional study was done to collect data of 216 inmates using semi-structured questionnaires from September 24th, 2018 to November 9th, 2018 (6 weeks) at Katsina Central Correctional Service. Data was analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS) Version 20. The mean (± Standard deviation, SD) ages of respondents were 31.5±10.9 years. Most of the respondents (94%) were male, almost half of them (44.4%) had secondary school education, more than half (55.1%) were into business or trading and the majority (75.9%) were awaiting trial. Nearly all inmates (98.6%) reported having sexual desire. Watching the nakedness of others (44.4%) and masturbation (38%) were the commonest means of sexual expression and satisfaction of sexual desire while in prison. The study found predominant male inmates who were within the reproductive and sexually active age group, with secondary school education and unemployed. The majority had sexual desires, with watching nakedness of others and masturbation as the commonest means of satisfying their sexual desires. Correctional facility authorities should implement sexual health programs for inmates and consider conjugal visitations/furloughs.