The Plight of Female Prisoners in Nigeria and the Dilemma of Health Rights Violations

Female prisoners make up about two percent of the inmates population in Nigeria. Furthermore, the recidivism rate among women culprits has been on the rise in recent times. Yet, the society rarely pays attention to these unique characteristics of inmates that are incarcerated. The Nigeria prison, as in other parts of the world, is characterized by inhumane conditions and overcrowding, leading to a deplorable health situation among inmates. The problems with the provision of quality of care to inmates include the inadequacy of healthcare personnel, facilities and systems, lack of healthcare policies and standard operating procedures, corruption in the criminal justice system, and bureaucratic bottleneck. To ensure an uninterrupted and quality healthcare system among prisoners, there is need for policy makers to re-evaluate the present healthcare policy by facilitating easy access to medical facility for every patient, including prisoners. The article x-rayed and discussed some of the main challenges faced by female inmates in terms of health and other social issues, and suggests possible solutions.