Juvenile Delinquency: Evidence of Challenges in Rehabilitation

Abstract

Juvenile delinquency is a global phenomenon that affect children’s developmental process and represent a significant concern for the society. Despite the fact that it is a global issue, its effects are felt more in developing countries such as Ghana due to inadequate resources available to rehabilitate them. However, the study explored the procedure used in admitting inmates into the juvenile detention facilities and challenges in rehabilitating them and recommended strategies based on findings to improve on the rehabilitation system. Using a quantitative research methodology, simple random and purposive samplings were used in selecting 94 respondents for the study at the senior correctional centre. Data obtained from the inmates was analyzed with SPSS and descriptive statistics with frequency distributions were employed to explain the data. The findings indicated challenges that affect both care takers and inmate at the centre regarding human resources, inadequate training period, facility to house inmate and the proper procedure for admission into the correctional facility. These challenges showed that, there are gaps in the rehabilitation process which mission is to make delinquent children valuable members of the society after they are released. Rather many juvenile delinquents stand high risk of becoming criminals in their adulthood.