Community-led video creation: towards complementing reformative programmes for prison inmates

Abstract

Instituting an initiative called Project Mgbanwe; we proposed the use of digital video education approach to complement other Nigerian Prison Service (NPS)'s reformation programmes and to promote positive behavioral change amongst offenders. This project was inspired by several issues, which include low turnout/enrollment of inmates for formal and vocational programmes, low turnout of inmates in the prison libraries and violation of prison rules. We present a study conducted in four prisons stations in Anambra state command: Awka, Onitsha, Aguata, Nnewi prisons. Specifically, we created short videos featuring officers (or other persons from the prison community) discussing skill and certificate acquisition in a local language - Igbo and Pidgin English. This is to heighten awareness on the merits of a reformed/rehabilitated individual. Other video themes are the benefits of obeying prison rules and being of good behaviour while in custody. Project Mgbanwe is ongoing and our findings are preliminary, but from all indication, they are promising. We hope to enhance the correctional and reformative/rehabilitative outlook of NPS.