Social Discrimination as a Predictor of Criminal Recidivism: A Study of Ex-Prisoners in Metropolitan Kano-Nigeria

Abstract

Social discrimination is one of the major challenges faced by the ex-prisoners when returning to their society which could have an adverse effect on criminal recidivism. The objective of this study is to examine the effects of social discrimination on criminal recidivism among ex-prisoners in metropolitan Kano using two dimensions (racial and criminal record discrimination). Data was collected using survey questionnaire and it was analysed using Partial Least Squares model (PLS). The finding of the study shows that both racial discrimination and criminal record discrimination of ex-prisoners are having significant effects towards criminal recidivism and they accounted for 42.5% R2. Moreover, criminal record discrimination was found to have larger effect than racial discrimination. It is concluded that, social discrimination of ex-prisoners is a predictor of criminal recidivism and criminal record type of discrimination is having more effect toward recidivism.