AZUBUIKE Benjamin Osaruese

The rehabilitation of female inmates in correctional institutions remains a pressing concern in criminal justice systems worldwide, particularly in developing nations like Nigeria. This study investigates the impact of correctional services on the rehabilitation and reintegration of female inmates at Oko Prisons in Benin City, with a focus on the role of institutional programs, social workers, and governmental support. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 86 female inmates and correctional staff through structured questionnaires and descriptive statistics. Findings reveal that while correctional facilities offer basic rehabilitation programs such as vocational training, religious services, and mental health support systemic issues including overcrowding, underfunding, limited infrastructure, and a lack of qualified personnel severely constrain outcomes. Moreover, social workers, though pivotal in fostering behavioral change and reintegration, remain underrepresented in Nigerian prisons. The study underscores the need for a holistic, gender-sensitive reform of correctional policies to address the socio-economic, psychological, and health-specific needs of incarcerated women. Recommendations are proposed for institutional investment, intersectoral collaboration, and policy restructuring to ensure effective rehabilitation and reduce recidivism among female inmates