Triggers to repeated criminal behaviour in Ghana: An analysis of the Nsawam prison through a case study approach

Abstract

Recidivism is the act of relapsing into criminal behaviour, and it is often assessed by a former prisoner’s admission to a new offence while still incarcerated. Identification of recidivism-related contributing factors is the study’s principal goal. The research method used in the study was qualitative. Data were gathered from 20 participants using the purposive sampling technique, including 10 prisoners who had already served two more terms of jail, 5 prison officers, and 5 members of the local community. Semi-structured interviews were used in the study to help with data collecting. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Data was processed using NVivo. The study concluded that due to severe prison conditions, uneven inmate-to-officer ratios, and insufficient rehabilitation, inmate-to-inmate relationships are reinforced over inmate-officer interactions, which leads to unequal association. Also, it was discovered that conventional beliefs about the purpose of imprisonment and the absence of community re-entry programs had moulded opinions about prisons and convicts, leading to the stigmatization and discrimination of formerly jailed people in the community. Based on the findings, the study recommends that government work with other stakeholders to reduce recidivism, Nsawam Medium Security Prisons (NMSP) should be expanded to improve upon the living conditions of inmates, introduction of annual business award to honour businesses that employs more ex-prisoners.