AFJHSS African Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences 2789-3413 SvedbergOpen afjhss-1-1-003 AFJHSS.1.1.2021.23-34 Research Paper Freeing the Caged: Indigenous Alternatives to Modern Incarceration in Nigeria Saifulahi-IdrisG. 1 AyodeleJ.O. 2 * IkuteyijoL.O. 3 1Department of Criminology and Security Studies, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria. E-mail: saifullahiidrisgaya@yahoo.com 2Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria. E-mail: joayodele@oauife.edu.ng 3Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria. E-mail: likuteyijo@gmail.com *Corresponding author: Ayodele, J.O., Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. E-mail: joayodele@oauife.edu.ng 08 2021 1 1 23 34 Abstract

Incarceration, as a form of penalty in Nigeria, has not produced the desired deterrent effect. Apart from the inadequate funding of the existing 249 holding facilities occasioned by the blighted economic fortune, slow justice dispensation has drastically increased the inmates population, especially with Awaiting Trial Persons. Due to the formidable challenges, the Prisons Services (renamed as Nigerian Correctional Services) have not done too well in Reformation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (RRR), thereby necessitating the need for alternative penalty. This paper interrogates the indigenous judicial system of the three major ethnic groups and its data were drawn from both primary (interviews with inmates, officials) and secondary data. Indigenous non-custodial penalty, community service, was found to be cheaper, humane and restitutive and was therefore recommended.

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