Literacy education program for reformation and reintegration of inmates in Jalingo Correctional Centre, Taraba State, Nigeria

There are many illiterate inmates in the Jalingo Medium Correctional Centre, Taraba State. This study provided literacy education to 561 of them so that after reformation and reintegration on completion of jail term they can become functional and contribute positively to themselves and the society. The study was in collaboration with the Taraba State Ministry of Education and Mass Literacy Agency whose involvement determined progress of the training program. The program covered three areas: reading, writing and arithmetic. Three research questions guided the study. The design of the study was descriptive survey design. The instrument for data collection was the Literacy Education Achievement Test (LEAT). The instrument was validated by subject experts and tested for reliability using K-R 20 estimate which yielded an overall reliability coefficient of 0.90. The instrument was administered to the inmates after the first six and nine weeks of teaching and learning. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze data. Results indicated tremendous progress in reading, write and numeracy with mean achievement score above average. The study is of immense benefit to inmates, ministries, boards, paratstatals, communities, social organizations and institutions. Literacy education for inmates is imperative for their rehabilitation, employability, and reintegration into society. Commitment and adequate private and government partnership funding and providing necessary materials for inmate literacy program in the country is essential.