Perceived Injustice and Socio-Demographic Variables as Predictors of Coping Ability among Kaduna Prison Inmate

Abstract

This research examined perceived injustice, duration in prison, gender and socioeconomic status as predictors of coping ability among Kaduna Prison inmates. Using a cross-sectional survey design, a total sample size of One hundred and sixty-five (165) Kaduna Prison inmates were selected using convenience sampling and surveyed with the questionnaire measure. They included 132 males and 33 females. The age of the participants ranged from 22 to 62 years with a mean age of 41.95 (SD = 11.95). The Injustice Experience Questionnaire and Brief Cope Scale were used to collect data for the study while Hierarchical Multiple Regression was used in the analysis. The results showed that gender (β = .35, t = 5.97, p<.001), socioeconomic status (β = .53, t = 8.83, p<.001), and perceived injustice (β = -.41, t = -7.64, p<.001) significantly predicted the coping ability of Kaduna Prison inmates. Duration of sentence (β = .00, t = .06, p>.05) did not significantly predict the coping ability of Kaduna Prison inmates. It was recommended that Policies which encourage delay in the delivery of justice as we have today in our criminal justice system should be changed; Law enforcement agents and agencies should manage biases and investigate cases brought to them objectively to avoid incriminating and consequently convicting the wrong people.

Keywords: Perceived Injustice, Coping Ability, Kaduna Prison inmates