RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CORRECTIONAL ENVIRONMENT, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR AMONG INMATES OF KEFFI MEDIUM SECURITY CUSTODIAL CENTER, NASARAWA STATE

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between correctional environment, substance
abuse, and aggressive behaviour among inmates of Keffi Medium Security Custodial
Center, Nasarawa State. A correlational survey design was adopted for the study. A
sample of 231 participants consisting of 137 (63.02%) male and 68 (36.70%) female
inmates were randomly sampled using a simple random sampling technique. The
instruments used for the study were the aggressive behavior scale, substance use scale
and the correctional environment scale. Data collected were analyzed using ANOVA to
answer research questions while regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.
Findings indicated that there is a significant moderate relationship between correctional
environment and aggressive behavior among inmates of Keffi Medium Security
Custodial Center, Nasarawa State. Findings also revealed that there is a significant and
moderate relationship between substance abuse and aggressive behavior among
inmates of Keffi correctional service centre. Based on the findings it was recommended
among others that counseling and psychotherapy should be well-structured in custodial
centers to assist inmates change their irrational thoughts/behaviours and also inmates
should be properly engaged in order to reduce idleness that may lead them to
frustration thereby manifesting aggressive behavior in the society.

Keywords: correctional environment, substance abuse, aggressive behavior,
correctional and custodial centers