Gender Disparity in Nigerian Criminal Justice System: An Exploratory Study of Olukuta Correctional Centre, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Disparity in sentencing has long been a topic of discussion. Though most research is aimed at disparity in social class, few studies utilize gender as a focal point. The focus of this study is to explore the impact of gender on sentence period, controlling for characteristics derived from the “evil woman hypothesis”, to discuss the potential paternalism within Nigerian’s criminal justice system (CJS) with Olokuta Correctional Centre, Akure, as the case study.  In the research process, some research-questions were assumed as necessary premises. A total of forty (40) respondents were selected, using the non-probability convenience sampling-technique. Data for the study were generated with the sole use of a structured-questionnaire schedule while the data generated are presented in Tables and duly analyzed in the simple percentage-method. The findings indicate that women always receive less terms of sentence than male offenders, regardless of crime-type and criminal record. As a result, differences in sentencing outcomes between men and women are simply a reflection—not a bias—of real, gender-related features. These inequalities are apparent because of things that are specific to women, not because of their gender.