The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Detainees in Cameroon: Implications on Communities and Prisons

Imprisonment in a correctional service exists to punish those who violate the law. A cardinal principle during imprisonment is the rehabilitation and reintegration of detainees. Ironically, in Cameroonian prisons there is little attention paid on rehabilitation and reintegration objective of imprisonment. State and Non-State actors share this responsibility although primarily, it is the State duty. Thus, this article explores the role of Non-governmental Organizations (NGO) in the rehabilitation and reintegration of detainees in Cameroon. The paper adopts a qualitative approach by exploring primary and secondary data. The paper argues that the absence of complementary efforts by NGOs in the rehabilitation and reintegration of detainees leaves our societies and prisons in danger and accommodative of crime. Thus, the paper recommends a more holistic approach whereby state, civil society organizations, faith based organizations and other organized groups in the communities must come on board to achieve this cardinal principle behind imprisonment.