Information needs of male juvenile delinquents

Abstract

This qualitative study provides an overview of what we have learned so far about the information needs of Malaysian male juvenile offenders. This focus is important to consider when designing and delivering the best possible information services to this group. The study seeks to understand juvenile delinquents’ information needs in the prison environment, focusing on their educational needs; online information environment and with the use of electronic resources; their everyday life information seeking (ELIS) needs, in the use of personal sources and prison libraries; in the use of books and other reading materials, and for future life perspectives. Data were collected using unstructured interviews with 23 juveniles (13 to 21 years old) living in four correctional schools in Malaysia. The data analysis revealed a general theme of the purpose of information needs, the location, the information sources, preferred reading materials, preferred language and subjects read. Formal information channels such as the library may be perceived as ineffective by inmates, regardless of their types of information needs and its objective validity. The Internet and informal networks among inmates were the most preferred source of information. Delinquents in the initial stage of imprisonment had significantly greater need for information than those in the final stage. Current findings add to the limited literature the juvenile offenders’ information behavior and that of other youth.