Conference Paper

EFFECT OF DIGITAL SKILLS ACQUISITION IN REDUCING RECIDIVISM IN ILARO MEDIUM SECURITY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, OGUN STATE

The purpose of incarceration is to rehabilitate the offenders, to be productive and live a law-abiding life after incarceration. This study explores the effects of digital skills acquisition on reducing recidivism within Ilaro medium security correctional center. The study aims at examining how digital literacy and technological training programmes can empower incarceration individuals, enhances their prospects for re-integration into society and reduce the likelihood of reoffending. The study involves assessing the effect of basic computer literacy, coding and data analysis, digital marketing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on reducing recidivism. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection through questionnaire administration and interview were adopted for the study. Data collected were analysed using descriptive, inferential and thematic analysis. It was discovered from the result of regression analysis that basic computer literacy has negative possibility of reducing recidivism while coding and data analysis, digital marketing and AI has positive possibility of reducing recidivism in Ilaro medium correctional center. The study concluded that basic computer literacy might not reduce recidivism but data analysis, AI knowledge and digital marketing has possibility of reducing recidivism in Ilaro medium security correctional center, Ogun State. The study recommends that government need to invest more in infrastructure that will enhance digital skills acquisition in correctional centers across Nigeria to reduce recidivism.