Youth Offending: A Case Study of Young Felons Confined In Correctional Facility in Hyderabad, Pakistan
Authors
TANIYA AHMED, HYDER ALI MEMON, MUHAMMAD AKHTER ARAIN and HADI BAKHSH KALHORO
Abstract
The study aims to explore the nature and causes of crimes among the convicted youth population confined in one of the major correctional facility (Prison) of Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan. This qualitative research method was based on purposive sampling from youth prisoners confined in a correctional facility situated in district Hyderabad, Pakistan. The data collected from 15 convicted young prisoners were gathered through open-ended questions and later examined using a thematic analytical technique. This study explored and indicated the strong connection of youth offending behavior with the dysfunctional family structure of society, which results in a broken home, domestic abuse, absence of love and care, and absence of proper supervisor. Similarly, Poor financial conditions, illiteracy, lack of legitimate resources & means to fulfill primary needs, bad-peers influence, and disorganized neighborhoods also appeared to be dominant factors behind juvenile delinquency and youth offending in the local context of society. The demographic information also revealed that the most common crimes committed by convicted youth offenders were usually drug-related and violent in nature. Most felons were heavily involved in taking heroin, marijuana, ice, and other drugs. The violent crimes included murder, rape, and assaults were also very common in convicted youth, with evidence of involvement in larceny and robbery as well. Therefore, the study recommends providing and practicing social, financial, and academic programs for capacity building and finical independence of vulnerable children. Similarly, strengthening the criminal justice and juvenile justice system is need of an hour to prevent youth away from recidivism.