Exploring rehabilitation and school reintegration interventions for inmates with dual diagnosis to mitigate the school-to-prison trend in Nigeria

Matthew ORIM

Doctoral thesis

Abstract:

The school-to-prison pipeline is one of the most overwhelming challenges facing special education in Nigeria. The trend of directly referring erring students to law enforcement for committing certain offenses at school or creating conditions under which students are more likely to become involved in the criminal justice system has become alarming. Instead of providing support and opportunities for these students, they often face harsh disciplinary measures like imprisonment that increase their chances of becoming involved in more criminal activities. Many teachers and parents of children with dual diagnosis have consistently decried the manner in which their students and wards are being funneled out of the classroom into the criminal justice system without the provision of support and rehabilitative services. The school-to-prison pipeline often lacks diversion programs such as forensic psychotherapies, prison special education, vocational training, and mental healthcare for offenders with dual diagnosis. This work comprehensively identifies and describes specific, evidence-based tools to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline that lawmakers, the criminal justice system, school administrators, and teachers can immediately support and implement.

Abstract:

The school-to-prison pipeline is one of the most overwhelming challenges facing special education in Nigeria. The trend of directly referring erring students to law enforcement for committing certain offenses at school or creating conditions under which students are more likely to become involved in the criminal justice system has become alarming. Instead of providing support and opportunities for these students, they often face harsh disciplinary measures like imprisonment that increase their chances of becoming involved in more criminal activities. Many teachers and parents of children with dual diagnosis have consistently decried the manner in which their students and wards are being funneled out of the classroom into the criminal justice system without the provision of support and rehabilitative services. The school-to-prison pipeline often lacks diversion programs such as forensic psychotherapies, prison special education, vocational training, and mental healthcare for offenders with dual diagnosis. This work comprehensively identifies and describes specific, evidence-based tools to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline that lawmakers, the criminal justice system, school administrators, and teachers can immediately support and implement.

Keywords

Dual diagnosis, school-to-prison pipeline, and School Reintegration Interventions

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 8. 4. 2025

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: doc. PhDr. Vojtech Regec, Ph.D.

Palacký University Olomouc

Faculty of Education

Doctoral programme / field:
Special Education / Special Education