INTRODUCTION

The Nigerian prison service recently renamed the Nigerian correctional service by former president
Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 is an integral part of the criminal justice system in Nigeria. Traditionally
prisons have been seen as institutions focused primarily on the punishment and confinement of
offenders. However, there has been a growing shift towards alternative approaches that prioritise crime
prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration. This paper aims to explore the theory of punishment with a
specific emphasis on "hate crime rather than criminal" and argue how it aligns with the redesigned
name of the Nigerian correctional service.

Punishment is a form of social control which helps the society to sustain its rules and regulations ,not to
mention the peacefulness of the lives of its inhabitants. In order to deal with the wrongdoing of the
society; and in this particular case, crimes, which can be said as the violations of law, we have the
theories of punishment. There are three main theories of punishment; deterrent theory of punishment,
retribution theory of punishment and reformative theory of punishment but for the purpose of these
paper I will be discussing the reformative theory of punishment.

The reformative theory of punishment is an approach to criminal justice that focuses on the
rehabilitation and reform of offenders rather than solely punishing them for their crimes. The main
objective of this theory is to help offenders reintegrate into society as law-abiding citizens.

Unlike other theories of punishment such as retribution and deterrence theories which emphasize
punishment as a means of retribution or deterring future crimes, the reformative theory seeks to
address the underlying causes of criminal behaviour and provide offenders with the tools and support
they need to change their behaviour. Key principles of reformative theory of punishment include:

1 REHABILITATION: The primary goal of punishment is to rehabilitate offenders with the belief that
people can change and learn from their mistakes. This includes providing educational, vocational and
psychological support to help offenders address the root causes of their criminal behaviour and develop
new skills and perspectives.

2. INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT: Recognising that each offender is unique, the reformative theory
promotes individualized treatment plans tailored to address the specific needs and circumstances of
each individual. This may involve counseling, therapy , education programs, vocational training and
other forms of support .

3. COMMUNITY BASED CORRECTIONS: Rather than focusing on incarceration as the primary response to
crime , the reformative theory emphasizes community-based corrections such as probation , parole and
alternative sentencing options. These measures aim to hold the offenders accountable while facilitating
their reintegration into society and providing ongoing support and supervision.

4. RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: In line with the principles of restorative justice, the reformative theory
encourages active involvement of victims communities and offenders in the criminal justice process.
This includes opportunities for offenders to make amends , seek forgiveness and engage in activities
aimed at repairing the harm caused by their actions.

5. PREVENTION: The reformative theory recognises the importance of prevention in reducing recidivism.
By addressing the underlying causes of criminal behaviour and providing support services, it seeks to
prevent future offences by helping offenders become productive members of society.

Overall, the reformative theory of punishment represents a shift from a punitive and retributive
approach to one focused on rehabilitation ,reintegration and addressing the root causes of criminal
behaviour. It aims to create safe communities by giving offenders the opportunity to learn from their
mistakes change their lives and ultimately contribute positively to society. In other words , reformative
theory hates crime rather than the criminal.

Forging ahead, I agree that reformative theory of punishment which lays emphasis on prevention and
eradication of crime rather than punishment of the offender accords more with the redesigned name of
the Nigerian prison service known as Nigerian correctional service. The Nigerian correctional service has
several objectives that guide its operations. These objectives according to section 14 of the Nigerian
correctional service Act 2019 are aimed at promoting the REHABILITATION, REFORMATION and
REINTEGRATION (3R) of offenders into the society as well as maintaining public safety. The key
objectives of the Nigerian correctional service include:

1. CUSTODY: The Nigerian correctional service aims to provide secure , safe and humane custody for
offenders who are lawfully detained or imprisoned. This objective ensures that offenders are held in
conditions that respect their human rights and protect them from harm.

2. REHABILITATION: One of the primary objectives of the Nigerian correctional service is to promote the
rehabilitation and reformation of offenders. This involves providing educational,vocational and skills
acquisition programs to equip offenders with the necessary tools to reintegrate into society upon
release. The aim is to reduce recidivism rates and promote positive behaviour change among offenders.

3. REFORMATION: The Nigerian correctional service seeks to reform the character attitude and
behaviour of offenders through counseling , therapy and moral guidance. Through various interventions
offenders are encouraged to reflect on their actions , take responsibility for their behaviour and develop
pro - social values and attitudes.

4. SOCIAL REINTEGRATION: The Nigerian correctional service is committed to facilitating the successful
social reintegration of offenders back into the community. This objective involves preparing offenders
for life after incarceration by providing them with the necessary support , resources and opportunities
to rebuild their lives. It includes access to education, obtaining employment opportunities and other
necessary services. Section 14 (1) of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019.

5. PUBLIC SAFETY: Another objective of the Nigerian correctional service is to ensure public safety
through effective supervision and monitoring of offenders. This involves conducting risk assessment ,
implementing appropriate security measures and maintaining effective control over offenders to
prevent escapes and minimise the potential for reoffending.

6. RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: The Nigerian correctional service encourages the principles of restorative
justice which promote dialogue and collaboration between victims , offenders and communities this
objective seeks to create opportunities for offenders to make amends , seek forgiveness and actively
participate in activities aimed at repairing the harm caused by their actions.

7. INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES: The Nigerian correctional service aims to benchmark its operations
against international best practices in corrections and adhere to international standards and
conventions relating to the treatment of prisoners. This objective ensures that the service aligns with
global human rights standards and continues to improve its practices and facilities.

By fulfilling these objectives the Nigerian correctional service aims to contribute to the reduction of
crime , the promotion of public safety and the successful reintegration of offenders into the society.
In conclusion the reformative theory of punishment with an emphasis on " hate crime rather than the
criminal " aligns with the redesigned name of the Nigerian correctional service .By adopting a more
proactive approach that addresses root causes and societal factors the Nigerian correctional service can
contribute significantly to crime prevention , rehabilitation and the overall well-being of individuals and
communities.