Psycho-social characteristics of juvenile deliquents of northern Nigeria origin at a borstal training institution in Nigeria.

Abstract

There are differences in culture between the northern and southern parts of Nigeria as far as religion, children 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 lime 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 Mable 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.