The Impact of Social Support on the Rehabilitation and Reformation of Young Offenders: A Study of Senior Boys’ Correctional Centre, Accra

Abstract

The main objective of the study is to investigate the rehabilitation and reformation of young offenders, with focus on the Senior Boys’ Correctional Center in Accra. The social support theory was relevant to this study as it allowed the research to explore how rehabilitation and reformation programmes at the Senior Boys’ Correctional Centre can effectively leverage both individual transformation and social connections (social support theory) to facilitate the development of young offenders. It highlighted the significance of social connections in the rehabilitation and reformation process. The research used a qualitative methodology with the phenomenological approach which helped the researcher to explore participants’ perspectives and ascribe meanings to their experiences. The study involved two categories of participants namely Officers working at the Correctional Center, and young offenders in detention at Correctional Centers. A sample size of fifteen participants namely three Officers and twelve young offenders at the Correctional Centre was adopted. The study observed that the rehabilitation services available at the Correctional Centre were categorized into education and vocational training. The reformation activities at the Correctional facility included counselling, religious services, sports and/recreational activities and health services. Altogether, these activities provided support and guidance to young offenders aiding their moral and ethical development and helping them to maintain their emotional wellbeing. The pivotal role of formal and informal relationships combined these tailored rehabilitation and reformation programmes with a strong social support system to yield the most positive outcomes for young offenders. The study recommends that family contact and institutional support should be encouraged to influence positive conduct for effective rehabilitation and reformation of young offenders in the Correctional Centre.