The quality of life of young offenders in juvenile justice institutions

Abstract

The increasing number of youth crime and the escalating number of young people involved with the juvenile justice system have challenged the established beliefs guiding policy and practise with young offenders. This paper investigates the quality of life among young offenders rehabilitated in juvenile justice institutions, and how they influence their wellbeing and development. The study comprised a survey completed by 289 male and female, young offenders, aged 12 to 21 years old, in 8 juvenile justice institutions in Malaysia, using the Measuring Quality of Prison Life (MQPL). Based on the analyses, the majority of young people perceived moderate levels of quality of life in the institutions. Furthermore, seven significant dimensions of quality of life in the institutions had a positive influence on the wellbeing and development of young people, including respect, staff-inmate relationship, humanity, bureaucratic legitimacy, fairness, safety and family contact. The study concluded that positive social climates in institutions are an essential aspect of improving the effectiveness of institutions in rehabilitating young people. In contrast, poor quality of life in the institutions may lead young people to psychological distress and thus increase their risk of reoffending. The paper concludes by recognizing the importance of policy improvement in the juvenile justice system.