JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN WESTERN, SIERRA LEONE: CAUSES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF OFFENDERS

Jotham J. Johnson; Adolphus Johnson; Adlyn O. Johnson; Turad Senesie

Volume : VI, Issue : VI, June - 2016

JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN WESTERN, SIERRA LEONE: CAUSES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF OFFENDERS

Jotham J. Johnson, Adolphus Johnson, Adlyn O. Johnson, Turad Senesie

Abstract :

 World–wide youths between the ages of fourteen and eighteen years are finding themselves in conflict with the law. A civil war that lasted for a decade ended in 2002 but violence and aggression still thrives and alarmingly among the youths. This study was conceived to investigate factors causing Juvenile Delinquency and the characteristics of Juvenile Offenders. It was undertaken in the Western Area of Sierra Leone which has the capital, Freetown. It was a bulk population of forty that was used as all the offenders in the two Juvenile Detention Centres that consented to take part in the study responded to questionnaires. Focused Group discussions were held with stakeholders including community members of the Juvenile Delinquents and staff of the Juvenile Correctional Centres. Results revealed that Juveniles Delinquents are mostly first time male offenders between the ages of fifteen and seventeen. Most had left school or were in the junior secondary level of education and were living with friends when they were incarcerated. Inferential Statistics inferred that the following determinants were significant at P value of 95 percent confidence level: whom the respondents live with and the educational level of parents, guardians of offenders. Recommendations include: ensuring that Juvenile Delinquents have access to formal schooling whilst incarcerated and Social welfare workers should have follow–up mechanisms to ensure that juvenile delinquents are properly integrated into society.