ABSTRACT
This
project is a summary of the requirements and the process that the researcher
went through in developing an automated information system for prison
management using Enugu prison as case study. It highlights the background,
literature review, methodology, data presentation, analysis, implementation,
findings, recommendations and conclusions. The main objective was to develop a
computer based prison management system for the above mentioned prison. The
research was also supplemented by library materials, the internet and other
sources of information which provided the already existing literature on the
elements of an information system, the strength and weaknesses of the pillars
of developing a prison management information system. The method used in the
designing this project SSADM. The recommendations included urging the
management of the prison to take up a computer based solution towards the
problem by procuring the developed prison management information system which
would solve the problem of data security, accessibility, timely report
production and avoid redundancy.
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Prison
is an institution designed to securely house people who have been convicted of
crimes. These individuals, known as prisoners or inmates, are kept in
continuous custody on a long-term basis. Individuals who commit the most
serious crimes are sent to prison for one or more years; the more serious the
offense, the longer the prison term imposed. For certain crimes, such as
murder, offenders may be sentenced to prison for the remainder of their lifetime.
When individuals are accused of violating criminal law, they are tried in a
court and either convicted (found guilty) or acquitted (found not guilty). A
person who is convicted is then sentenced—that is, assigned a specific
punishment. The sentence may involve fines, probation (supervised release), or
incarceration (confinement). Judges may sentence first-time offenders to
probation instead of incarceration. Offenders convicted of more serious crimes
and those who have prior criminal records may be sentenced to incarceration in
either a jail or a prison, depending on the nature of the crime.
The
primary goals and objectives of prison systems are to maintain the care,
custody, and control of inmates in order to prevent escapes, in addition to
ensuring both the safety of both prison staff and inmates. The primary goal of
prison management is to incapacitate inmates while providing rehabilitation and
programs; however the goal of maintaining control within the prison system
takes precedence over rehabilitation and treatment (Craig 2004, 92S). Prison
management not only has the responsibility of monitoring inmate behavior, but
must also monitor employee behavior and abuses.
Prison staff is responsible for the care, custody, and control of
inmates, and can only carry out the mission, goals, and objectives of the
prison facility through effective and efficient management and leadership.
Every prison system is structured around a model which distinguishes security
level. Most prison systems are identified as super-max prisons,
maximum-security prisons, close security prisons, medium security prisons,
minimum security prisons, and specialized prisons. Prior to placement, prison
personnel initiate a classification review of the inmate. The classification
review evaluates the needs and risk of the offender to determine the best
placement within the prison system. The evaluation process assesses the
prisoner’s level of danger, length of sentence, gang affiliation, physical
and/or mental health needs, and available treatment programs (Lab et al. 2004,
121). In recent times, computers are being applied to prison management and
this has given rise to automated prison management systems. An automated system
for prison management is a computerized software system that aids the capturing
and management of prisoner’s information such that it can be easily updated and
retrieved when needed.
Previously, inmates got to be checked
and re-checked each time they roared admitted his/her disinterred or
transferred. At each station, officers would ask the inmate his/her particulars
and match his face with each photo. Now, each inmate is tagged upon admission
into prison. This tag is scanned each time he is admitted, discharged or
transferred. Tag also allows officers to monitor the movement of the inmate
within the prison in real time. These reduce the need for constant roll calls
to keep track of the inmates.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Inmate information management system in
previous times was time consuming due to numerous processes involve in warrant
authentication. More so, the system of managing inmate’s information were
simply desktop mode. Restriction from unauthorized cold be rarely in preventing
this process which terms proposed security treads to the record units in prison
at large.
This may result to lack of efficiency
which may impossible create an avenue for jail break.
However, this project is focus on
designing the web based system that will be used for efficiency prison inmate
information management system within the prison in order to control security.
1.3
OBJECTIVE
OF STUDY
i.
To implement a workable automated system
for prison management
ii.
To develop a system that will aid in
managing different aspects of the prison system
iii.
To facilitate easy adding, updating of prisoners
information to a database
iv.
To develop a system that will facilitate
the presentation of reports about a prisoner or group of prisoners when needed
1.4 SCOPE OF STUDY
The scope of this study is involved
around the prison information system which is aimed at designing and automated
system for prison information management system in Nigeria prisons service,
using Enugu prisons as a case study.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE STUDY
The
significance of the study is that it will provide a possible solution to the
problem of managing prisoner information when needed without waste of time. It
will also foster the effective administrative management of prisons. The study
will also serve as a useful reference material for other researchers carrying
out a related study.
1.5 DEFINITION
OF TERMS
Prison:
A secure place where somebody is confined as punishment for a crime or while
waiting to stand trial
Justice:
the legal system, or the act of applying or upholding the law
Crime:
illegal act: an action prohibited by law or a failure to act as required by law
Criminal:
somebody who has committed a crime
Prosecute:
take legal action against somebody: to have somebody tried in a court of law
for a civil or criminal offense
Management:
the organizing and controlling of the affairs of a business or a sector of a
business.
Convicts:
to declare somebody guilty of a crime
in a court of law.
Awaiting
Trial: is a period which accused
person stay in a Prison waiting for court hearing. Warrant: written letter by the judge to jail an accused person.
Ex-convict: person released after jailed.
• Prison: a source place where somebody is confined as punishment for a crime
or while waiting to stand trial.
Penitentiary:
A prison for people convicted of
serious crimes.
Inmate:
A person living in an institution such
as a prison or hospital.
Remand:
Place on bail or in custody, especially
when a trial is adjourned.
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