"Crime and Social Control Lessons from Africa" is an examination of the social control systems of a traditional society. It identifies one of its social control agents and undertakes a detailed examination of the origin, organization and operational techniques of that agent. It spotlights attributes that make that social control agent an effective tool for installing pro social conduct among the Igbo of Nigeria, but also helps them to internalize such conduct.

The book draws attention to over representation of African Americans in United States crime statistics and suggests a more detailed study of the Igbo traditional social control mechanism. It calls for replication of such mechanisms in the United States.

Importance of the study is buttressed by the fact that evidence of an ancestral link between the Igbo of Nigeria and a large proportion of African Americans exist. The study contends that since demise of traditional social control systems is responsible for rise in crime among the Igbo in Nigeria, such parity can be extended to explain rise in crime and recidivism rates among African Americans in the United States.

About the author

Dr. Sampson Ike Oli holds a Ph.D degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in the City University of New York system. He is a full professor and head of the Department of Criminal Justice at Bethune-Cookman University, Florida.

Because of the traditional origin and unique sources of data utilized in this study, chapters of the book are arranged in such a way as would gradually ease the reader into the cultural underpinnings of Igbo traditional laws and customs. The chapters are also designed to enable the reader appreciate these events without the social distancing that often occurs, whenever alternative cultures become the major subject of discussion.

The dedication, acknowledgement, target market and relevance parts of the work are designed to expose the reader as quickly as possible to major problems encountered during the study. Hopefully such exposure will enable the reader to identify such problems and understand how they were dealt with.

Chapters one and two offer an introduction and explain attendant problems in traditional studies. The methods adopted for collecting data for the study, and the advantages and disadvantages of using those methods are explained in the chapters. Chapters three and four contain explanations of the purpose and significance of the study. A discussion of the arrangement of chapters and definition of some unusual terms are also included therein. Chapters five and six contain a discussion of various problems inherent in the study, while chapter six explains the significance of such problems and their impact on the study. Chapter seven contains a discussion of various theoretical models, and reasons for selecting the social control/bond perspective as the most appropriate.

Chapters eight, nine and ten provide detailed accounts of the Igbo, their history and the origin of age grades. Variations in age grade organization in selected Igbo communities and a discussion of their operation, influence and importance throughout Igbo and are also included in these chapters.

Chapter eleven provides a comprehensive discussion of implications of the study. It concludes by including suggestions for expansion of the study, and justifications for replication of Igbo social control systems in the United States.

These discussions are followed, by inclusion of appendices containing some detailed account of Igbo traditional marriage system. A rendition of an Igbo fable against greed is also included, to reinforce earlier assertions of the Igbo and their distaste for greed and lies.