Challenges of controlling delinquency and juvenile recidivism in correctional centre in Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the challenges of controlling delinquency and juvenile recidivism in correctional centres. It explored the statutory roles of correctional institutions and the challenges of a correctional institution in Ondo State, Nigeria. The research design is explorative in nature. The study employed quantitative (survey) and qualitative (Focus Group Discussion) and personal observation research methods. The study involved Forty-two respondents (10 personnel of the correctional centre and 32 juvenile delinquents). The data collected were analyzed with quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis with the aid of descriptive statistics. The study found that male children are more prone to delinquency and juvenile recidivism than females. Poor family background, dysfunctional family system, peer group influence, ineffective juvenile correctional institutions and weak religious institutions and so on are the major factors influencing delinquency and juvenile recidivism in Nigeria. Also, there are a lot of challenges faced by juveniles in the correctional institutions in Nigeria such as health/medical facilities, poor rehabilitation facilities and ineffective rehabilitation programmes. Several rehabilitative, vocational skills programmes and facilities are not available in the juvenile correctional institution. Besides, there are multiple challenges militating against the efficiency and effectiveness of the juvenile correctional centre in Ondo State. The study, therefore, recommends that governments, parents, community, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders should put all hands on deck to solve the challenges of controlling delinquency and juvenile recidivism, and secure the society from adult and advanced criminality. Keywords: Challenges, Control, Correctional Institution, Delinquency, Juvenile

Public Perception of Ex-Convicts Reintegration in Idemili-North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

“…The Anambra State Broadcasting Service (ABS, 2021) reported that the police in conjunction with local vigilante group re-arrested three robbery suspects at Nkpor in Idemili North LGA following a distress call. In addition, report by the National Bureau of Statistics in 2016 revealed that an average of 31.3% of released offenders from the Nigerian Prisons between 2007 and 2014 returned back to crime and prison few years after their previous release (Idowu & Odivwri, 2019). Anambra State is inclusive.…”

“…Re-integration, as the name connotes appear easy to understand but has proven divers in meaning in different perspectives. The concept of re-integration of an ex-convict refers to the process of returning to the society and the acceptance by the stakeholders in the society (Idowu & Odivwri, 2019). They stressed that re-integration is the coming back of the prisoner into the community to continue normal life (including gainful employment) after being discharged from incarceration.…”

“…Criminal recidivism is enhanced due to the challenges of societal re-integration of released offenders. Released offenders lack the social assistance in order to desist from criminal recidivism (Idowu & Odivwri, 2019). Ideally, the after-care services to ex-convicts should involve the offender's family members and the community in the process of re-entry by monitoring them for some time in order to ensure successful re-integration into the society.…”

“…This could in turn affect reintegration process of exprisoners. Idowu and Odivwri (2019) in their study in Ondo State, Nigeria, revealed that criminal recidivism in Nigeria was being influenced by ineffectiveness and inefficiency of the nation's correctional centres (prisons) due to its poor conditions. It again showed that released offenders lack the social assistance in order to desist from criminal recidivism and public negative reactions made things worse for them.…”

Nigerian Juvenile Justice System and the Resocialisation of Young Offenders

“…Arguably, the lack of infrastructure and resources is one of the core challenges facing the Nigerian juvenile justice system. Many Juvenile Detention Centers are often lacking in good facilities and proper equipment to provide educational and vocational programmes for young offenders [23]. Detention Centers are supposed to be rehabilitative, not punitive.…”