Effectiveness of Vocational Education and Training for Rehabilitation of Prison inmates in Rivers State

Abstract

The study assessed the effectiveness of vocational education and training (VET) for the rehabilitation of prison inmates in Rivers State. Specifically, it examined the effectiveness of carpentry and furniture making, crop farming, as well as tailoring, fashion design, and textile production training in fostering inmates’ skill acquisition, personal development, and reintegration into society. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study, which adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised inmates, prison officials, and vocational instructors, from which a stratified random sample of 200 respondents (150 inmates and 50 officials/instructors) was drawn. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire titled Effectiveness of Vocational Education and Training for Rehabilitation of Prison Inmates Questionnaire (EVETRPIQ), with a reliability coefficient of 0.82, alongside structured interviews. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were used to answer the research questions, while z-test was applied to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that both officials and inmates strongly agreed on the effectiveness of carpentry, crop farming, and tailoring/fashion training, with mean ratings above 4.00 across items relating to creativity, employability, teamwork, psychological stability, and self-reliance. Results further indicated no significant difference between the mean responses of officials and inmates on the effectiveness of the training programs, implying shared perceptions of their rehabilitative value. The study concluded that VET equips inmates with employable and entrepreneurial skills, reduces recidivism, and enhances reintegration, while aligning training with modern industry needs such as digitalization and renewable energy strengthens sustainability. It was recommended that correctional institutions should strengthen vocational training programs, align curricula with contemporary industry competencies, and provide adequate resources and instructor support to enhance inmate rehabilitation and sustainable reintegration