Literacy, Information and Communication Technology as Tools for Empowerment of Inmates

Abstract

The study investigated the present position of literacy, information and communication technology (ICT} in Prisons by examining the perception of inmates .The study adopted a descriptive survey using structured questionnaire and observation guides on a randomly and purposively drawn sample of 664 inmates out of a population of 47,628 inmates nationally. Frequency counts and percentage were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that in the 21 prisons studied in 12 Nigerian states, the literacy level was low; that inmates were inadequately rehabilitated and that the presence of information and communication technology was lacking. The findings have important implication for literacy development, information and communication technology programmes in Prisons for empowering inmates and reducing recidivism. This paper points to the need to retrace, redirect, restructure and refocus their services and activities on literacy, rehabilitation, information and communication technology so as to empower the inmates.

Keywords

• Perception, literacy, information and communication technology, computer literacy, effectiveness, prison, inmates

References

1. Akinsola, M.K & Ogunleye, B.O. (2002) Statistical Methods and research in education. An unpublished mimeograph, University of Ibadan.
2. Aribisala, J.O (2009). Role of Information and communication technology in globalization, in Bandele, S.O, Olorunsola, S.A. Ibijola, E.A & Okunade E.A (eds). Information and Communication Technology and Complete Application.
3. Baildon, M. & Damico, J.S (2011). Content literacy for the 21st century: Excavation, and Relational Compolitanism in the classroom. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 55(3); 232-243.
4. Bloome, D. (1985). Reading as a social process. Language Arts, 62(4); 134-142.
5. Bulya, O. A (2011). Empowering women through literacy is a proviso for national development. A paper presented at 7th Pan- African conference on Reading for All countries. Held at University of Botswana, Gaborone on 11th-14th July 2011.
6. Brammer, C. (2002) “Linguistic cultural capital and basic writers.” Journal of Basic writing 21(1); 16-36.
7. Federal Bureau of Prisons (2008). Bureau of Prisons established. Retrieved 1st April 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FederalBureauofPrisons
8. Graff, H. J. (2009) “Literacy” Microsoft Encanta.

9. Heath, S.B. (1983). Ways with words; Language, Life and work in communities and classrooms: New York: Cambridge University Press.
10. Jele, D. (2011) Treading on uncharted territory: The possibilities of effecting literacy for empowerment in Swaziland. A paper presented at 7th Pan-African conference on Reeading for All countries. Held at University of Botswana, Gaborone on 11th-14th July 2011.
11. Luke, A. & Freebody, P. (1997). The social practices of reading. In S. Muspratt, A. Luke, & P. Freebody (Eds),constructing critical literacies: Teaching and learning textual practice cresskill N J: Hampton.
12. Ministerial Council of Education Employment Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA, (2005) MCEETYA Joint statement on economy and training in the information economy. Retrieved on 29th April, 2005 from http://www.dest.gov.au/portfoliodepartment/ministerswebsite/documents/Jspdf.
13. Moje, E. B. (2008) Foregrounding the disciplines in secondary literacy teaching and learning: A call for change. Journal of Adolescent & Adult literacy, 52(2) 96-107. do: 10.1598/JAAL.
14. Mossberger, K. Tolbert, J & Stansbury, M. (2003). Virtual reality: beyond the digital divide. Washington: Georgetown University Press.
15. Non-Governmental Orgnization in Nigeria (2010). The women’s Technology Empowerment Center. Retrieved on 4th Nov, 2010 from http://www.jidaw.com/nigeria/nigerianon-governemnetalorganisation.html.
16. Obanya, P.A. (2004). Educating for the Knowledge Economy. Ibadan: Mosuro Publishers.
17. Omotoso F, (2009). Information and Communication Technology ICT, Computer and the society. in Bandele, S.O, Olorunsola, S.A. Ibijola, E.A & Okunade E.A (eds). Information and Communication Technology and Complete Application.
18. Rogers, T. (2011). Literacy, Leadership and Marginalized Groups. A paper presented at the 7th Pan African Reading for all Conference, held at University of Botswana, Gaborone.
19. Shanahan, T. & Shanahan, C (2008). Teaching disciplinary literacy to adolescents: Rethinking content- area literacy. Harward Educational Review. 78 (1) 40-59.
20. Street, B. V. (1984). Literacy in theory and practice Cambridge, England: Cambridge University
21. Tenibiaje, D.J & D.O Owuamanam (2010). Literacy Recommendation for Prison Inmates in South West Nigeria. International Journal of Educational Leadership (IJEL), 3(3) 312-319.
22. Tenibiaje, D.J.(2010). Counselling For Productive Employment of Prison Inmates. European Journal of Educational Studies 2 (3) 193-202.
23. UNESCO (1990). World Declaration on Education for all. Framework for Action to meet learning needs. World Conference on Education for all. Jomthion 4-5 March. Thailand.
24. Warschauer, M. (2003). Technology and Social inclusion: Rethinking the digital divide Cambridge: MIT Press.
25. Wikipedia Foundation (2007) Retrieved from http// www.enwikipedia.org./wiki