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