Perceived and Awareness of Information Needs as Correlate of Socio-Psychological Wellbeing of Prison Inmates in South West, Nigeria

¹Alarape A.A. and ²Opeke R.O.

            ¹Department of Library and Information Science, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria

            ²Department of Information Resources Management, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun,

 Email: aquidorc96@yahoo.co.uk

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of perceived information need on the socio-psychological wellbeing of prison inmates in Southwest Nigeria. This study was a survey involving the design and administration of questionnaires to 720 prison inmates in Southwest Nigeria. Data analysis was done by means of both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study revealed that prison inmates in the zone appeared to have a clear understanding of their information needs but this could not translate into an improved socio-psychological wellbeing. The study concluded that government need to reduce pre-trial detention and prison overcrowding by minimising pre-trial waits, and setting a maximum allowable wait time, implement a population capacity for all prisons based on design capacity; upgrade prison infrastructure, rehabilitate and build facilities to improve the socio-psychological wellbeing of prison inmates.