Need-based Approach to Juvenile Offenders’ Rehabilitation: Some Evidence From Malaysia.

DOI: 10.5176/2382-5642_FSCR14.29

Authors: Nadzriah Ahmad and Associate Professor Dr Zaiton Hamin

Abstract: In Malaysia, child offenders who are serving sentence are placed in institutions, either under the Department of Social Welfare or the Prisons Department. However, whether or not these institutions are running adequate programs in rehabilitating and reforming those child offenders remain an open question. The objective of this paper is to examine such issue and to provide some evidence of the institutional responses and programs that are envisaged to address the specific needs of such offenders. A mixed quantitative and qualitative approach have been adopted to identify the characteristics of the child offenders’ background and to examine the institutional responses, in particular, the officers working in some of these juvenile institutions. The preliminary findings revealed that despite the offenders’ satisfaction with the spiritual-based programs run by the institutions, some improvements on the programs that emphasized on education, vocational skills and self-development programs are crucial in providing a comprehensive programs and approach.

Keywords: child offenders, institutions, rehabilitation, risk factors, Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989