Factors Associated with Juvenile Delinquency: A Case of Arusha Juvenile Remand Home in Arusha City-Tanzania

Abstract

The assessment of factors related to juvenile delinquency was conducted at Arusha Remand Home in Arusha City. This study adopted a cross-sectional design and gathered both quantitative and qualitative data from various primary and secondary sources. A sample of 103 respondents was selected using a simple random sampling technique. Structured interviews using researcher-administered questionnaires were employed to collect primary data from the participants. In-depth interviews were conducted with selected juveniles to obtain insights into the delinquency in the city. Descriptive statistics and the Likelihood Ratio Chi-Square test were employed for quantitative data analysis, utilising IBM SPSS Statistics version 20. The findings indicated that theft offences accounted for a significant proportion of juvenile delinquency (45.6%), followed by abuse (29.1%) and vandalism (25.2%). The primary causes of delinquent behaviours were identified as poverty (67%), peer influence (28.2%), and family dysfunction (4.9%). Additionally, the study identified gender, household size, parenting style, and the causes of committing crimes as factors associated with juvenile delinquency. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the Arusha City Council, in collaboration with other stakeholders, develop targeted interventions and initiatives to address the specific challenges faced by juveniles. Government welfare officers in Arusha City should design educational programmes aimed at equipping families with the necessary knowledge and skills to create a nurturing environment for their children, thereby guiding juveniles onto a positive path. Implementing these recommendations aims to prevent and reduce juvenile delinquency and promote the overall well-being and positive development of young individuals in Arusha City