PSYCHO-SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS OF NORTHERN NIGERIA ORGIN AT A BORSTAL TRAINING INSTITUTION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: There are differences in culture between the northern and southern parts of Nigeria as far as religion, childrearing practices, and socialization of children are concerned. Objective: The aim of this study was to obtain information about juvenile delinquents of northern Nigerian origin since this group has not been much studied and reported in the past. Methods: The Borstal Training Institution at Kakuri, Kaduna was selected for the study. Only juvenile delinquents of northern Nigeria origin and living in the north at the time of encounter with the law and subsequent incarceration were recruited into the study. The interview was conducted using the 74-item Ife-McGill Health and Education Survey Questionnaire. Results: Although the law of Northern Nigeria defines delinquents as children less than 16, persons as old as 29 years were being admitted to the Borstal institution. These children had fairly highly educated parents, in good occupations, from stable homes. Conclusion: It is extremely important for the authorities in Nigeria to be stringent in the implementation and application of the law related to delinquency

Keywords

• psycho-social
• delinquency
• borstal institution
• kaduna