SOCIAL BEHAVIOURAL RISK FACTORS AND DIVERSIONARY PRECURSOR FOR CONVICTION OF BOYS TO BORSTAL INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Juvenile delinquencies are antisocial behaviours which the society frowns at. This study investigates the social behavioural factors influencing the remand/imprisonment of boys in Nigerian Borstal Institutions.
METHODS: A descriptive research design was adopted. 400 of the boys in the Homes were randomly selected from the three Prison Juvenile formations in Nigeria. Three research questions were formulated. The researchers’ developed structured questionnaire of 4-point Likert scale was used to gather the data and the r was 0.67. Percentage was used to describe the demographic data while ranking was used to show the perceived predictor of antisocial behaviour that leads to redivism. RESULTS: The results revealed perceived factors of conviction of boys to Borstal homes/institutions in the following order; Stress (70.5) , Peer group influence ( 66.5), Alcohol ( 39.0), Broken Homes ( 36.25) Prison setting ( 17.5) Tobacco and related substance ( 15.25), Drugs (12.75), Cocaine and Heroine (10.75). Majority of those convicted were secondary school student graduates (80.5) and were mostly as a result of getting out of parental control. CONCLUSION: Stress was found to be a risk factor for other anti-social behaviours which may also be induced by other factors thus making it the most significant predictor of anti social behaviours that led to repeated admission into borstal homes; Adolescents were the most convicted as a result of getting out of parental control. Parents, school authorities, health educators, religious bodies and policy makers should work together with prison officers to put in place the mechanisms for educating and monitoring adolescents. Means of diverting their energy towards healthy rivalry such as healthy group performances as found in exercise, sports and recreational activities should be encouraged in the institutions