Access and Utilisation of Information Resources by Inmates in Abia and Imo State Correctional Service

Abstract

This study investigated the extent of access and utilisation of information resources by inmates in Abia and Imo States correctional services. Three research objectives were formulated to guide the study. The population of the study was 4396 of inmates, but 5% of the population participated in the study. The instrument for data collection was the questionnaire. 220 copies of the questionnaire were distributed to inmates, of which 208 copies were returned, representing 95% of distributed copies, which is a response rate. To analyse the data, descriptive statistics were employed using frequency tables, simple percentage and mean. The findings revealed that there are more male inmates than female inmates, between the ages of 26-30 years, and the majority of them have completed their O’level education. The study revealed that the more accessible information resources are computers, graphic materials, books, television, government publication, pamphlets, newspapers, magazines and radio. The findings further show that inmates utilised pamphlets, radio, computers, magazine, maps/atlases/globes, television, books and government publications. The study also revealed that inmates have factors that hinder their access and utilisation of these information resources; such as lack of conducive environment, inadequate facility, untrained staff, lack of interest by inmates and insufficient funding. The study concluded that the environment around the correction service is not conducive and therefore, does not encourage the full access and utilisation of information resources. One of the main recommendations made by this study is that authorities of the correction services should provide a conducive environment that would encourage learning and reading by inmates