Background: Given the scale of juvenile delinquency in Benin, families, judicial bodies and the society seemed overwhelmed. The objective was to study the epidemiological and psychosocial profile of delinquent children and adolescents under court order (DCAUCO) in Benin civil prisons in 2015. Methods of study: It was a descriptive and cross-sectional study which involved 117 children aged 11 to 18 years, recruited from 6 th May to 10 th September 2015 in nine Civil Prisons and a Child and Adolescent Care Center in Benin. Data were collected through face-to-face interview between the interviewer and the interviewee in addition to ASSIST-WHO, Family Assessment Device and ParentalAcceptance and Rejection Scale. Results: The average age was 16.1 ± 1.1 years, ranging from 11 to 18 years. Sex ratio M/F was 22.4. School dropout rate was 76.9%. Orphans represented 53.9%. The proportion of juvenile offenders coming from broken families was 30.8%. Theft (46.2%) and rape (19.7%) were the main offenses committed. 99.1% had no criminal records and the judge requested for all of them a detention warrant. Psychoactive substance consumption records (46.2%) were found, including: alcohol (46.2%), tobacco (23.9%), and cannabis (10.3%). They felt maternal and paternal absence respectively in 48.7% and 44.4% cases and pleaded guilty in 71.8%. Pleading guilty was a resilience factor on which the counseling would have to rely for their rehabilitation and social reintegration.
Childhood and adolescence are stages when externalization and risk behaviors are common [
According to a survey conducted in France in 1997-1998, 7.8% of young people between 12 and 19 years were injured or beaten at least once during the year [
The number of juvenile detainees charged in Benin increased from 64 in 2005 to 154 in 2009 representing an increase of 250%. The absence of data which can explain this demographic explosion of children and adolescents in detention justifies the interest in this study.
It was a cross-sectional and descriptive study, with prospective data collection from 6th May 2015 to 10th September 2015. The population under study concerned all juveniles detained in the civil prisons of Parakou, Kandi, Natitingou, Lokossa, Porto-Novo, Cotonou, Ouidah, Abomey, Abomey-Calavi and those under judicial injunction at Agblangandan Juvenile Protection Center. The inclusion criteria were: All juveniles in detention in one of the civil prisons (CP) concerned, aged from11 to 18 years, able to respond to questions and present at the time of this study. Juveniles who did not give their informed consent to participate in the study were excluded. Sampling technique consisted in a comprehensive census followed by a consecutive recruitment of juveniles from CP in Benin who met the inclusion criteria. The total number of juveniles in the CP in addition to that of Agblangandan Juvenile Detention Center made up the size of the study sample comprising 117 juveniles. The dependent variable in the study was juvenile delinquency. “Any individual having violated a legal jurisdiction leading to legal proceeding” was considered as an offender [
Data processing and analysis were conducted using Epi info software version 7. The qualitative variables were expressed in frequency with 95% confidence interval. The comparison of frequencies was made using Chi-square test of Karl Pearson or that of Fischer depending on the case with a statistical significance threshold for p less than 5%.
The prevalence of male juveniles was 112/117 (95.7%) with a sex-ratio H/F of 22.4. The average age was 16.1 ± 1.1 years with age ranging from 11 to 18 years. The proportion of 17 years juveniles was 43.6%. The prevalence of elders, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and last born of the siblings was respectively; 28/117 (23.9%), 20/117 (17.1%), 28/117 (23.9%), 18/117 (15.4%), 15/117 (12.8%), 1/117 (0.9%) and 7/117 (6%). The types of original family were: monogamous 13/117 (11.1%) polygamous, 23/117 (19.7%), broken 36/117 (30.8%), united 18/117 (15.4%), stepfamily 12/117 (10.3%), broken polygamous 14/117 (12%) and single-parent 1/117 (0.9%). Those whose parents were still alive were 54/117 (46.2%), the rest was fatherless 29/117 (24.8%), motherless 20/117 (17.1%) or orphan of both parents 14/117 (12%). The rate of school dropout was 76.9%. In this category, school children (class 1 to class 6) were 41.0%. Among the 90 school dropouts in detention, 76 (84.4%) attended public institutions against 14 (15.6%) who attended private institutions. They received 0 Cfa/day (19.8%) or 200 Cfa/day (18.1%) as pocket money for their petty expenses.
Mothers showed affection to Delinquent Children and Adolescent Under Court Order (DCAUCO) in 42.7% cases; fathers showing affection represented 27.4%. Hostility/aggression from the father and the mother was recorded respectively in 48.7% and 44.4% of cases.
The first sexual intercourses were experienced at 18 years (1.5%), 16 years (14.9%), 15 years (26.9%), 14 years (13.7%), 10 years (6%), and 8 years (1.5%). The sexual partner was not specified in 51.3% of cases. When they were specified, the DCAUCO stated: girls in the neighborhood (12%), cotenant (10.3%), girlfriend (8.5%), housemaid (6%), classmate (4.3%), and inbred sister (2.3%).
The beginning of behavioral disorders prior to detention was not indicated by 51.3% of DCAUCO. They oc-
Number | Percentages (%) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Yes | No | Yes | No | |
Fatherly Warmth-Affection | 32 | 85 | 27.4 | 72.6 |
Motherly Warmth-Affection | 50 | 67 | 42.7 | 57.3 |
Motherly Hostility-Aggression | 57 | 60 | 48.7 | 51.3 |
Motherly Hostility-Aggression | 52 | 65 | 44.4 | 55.6 |
Fatherly Indifference-Negligence | 72 | 45 | 61.5 | 38.5 |
Motherly Indifference-Negligence | 53 | 64 | 45.3 | 54.7 |
Fatherly undifferentiated rejection | 65 | 52 | 55.6 | 44.4 |
Motherly undifferentiated rejection | 48 | 69 | 41.0 | 59.0 |
Fatherly general attitude | 41 | 76 | 35.0 | 65.0 |
Motherly general attitude | 65 | 52 | 55.6 | 44.4 |
curred after 10 years for 41.8% of the respondents and before the age of 10 years for 7.7%. Ritual ceremonies were conducted for 31.6% of DCAUCO, however in 86.5% of cases, the fact of not conducting these ritual ceremonies was not the consequence of subsequent behavioral disorder. DCAUCO recognize being responsible of maladaptive behaviors at various degrees: average (41%), severe (29.9%) and light (29.1%) according to the DSM. These maladaptive practices were: burglary (41.9%), rape (15.4%), fighting (11.1%), act of libel (10.3%), use of a firearm under the influence of anger (6.8%), stubbornness (5.1%).
The use of drug by DCAUCO was 46.2% for alcohol, 23.9% for tobacco and 10.3% for cannabis with need for intensive intervention concerning 3.4% consumers for each of the substances.
Number | Percentages (%) | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Excel* | Good** | Poor*** | Bad*V | Excel | Good | Poor | Bad | |
Problems resolution | 11 | 29 | 49 | 28 | 9.4 | 24.8 | 41.9 | 23.9 |
Family communication | 13 | 24 | 49 | 31 | 11.1 | 20.5 | 41.9 | 26.5 |
Assignment of roles | 11 | 26 | 49 | 31 | 9.4 | 22.2 | 41.9 | 26.5 |
Emotional expression | 10 | 21 | 41 | 45 | 8.5 | 17.9 | 35.0 | 38.5 |
Collective commitment | 9 | 19 | 36 | 53 | 7.7 | 16.2 | 30.8 | 45.3 |
Monitoring behaviors | 11 | 25 | 41 | 40 | 9.4 | 21.4 | 35.0 | 32.2 |
General family functioning | 14 | 34 | 48 | 21 | 12.0 | 29.1 | 41.0 | 17;9 |
Excel* = Excellent; Poor*** = Poor; Good** = Good; Bad*v = Bad.
Number | Percentage (%) | |
---|---|---|
Criminal qualification of the offense | ||
Rape | 23 | 19.7 |
Manslaughter | 8 | 6.8 |
Theft | 54 | 46.2 |
Assassination/murder | 16 | 13.7 |
IGA* | 6 | 5.1 |
Poisoning | 1 | 0.9 |
Cyber crime | 9 | 7.7 |
Relationship with the victim | ||
1st degree parent | 9 | 7.9 |
Family | 29 | 25.4 |
Unknown | 79 | 69.3 |
Request for detention warrant | ||
Yes | 117 | 100.0 |
State of criminal record (staff) | ||
Repeat offender | 1 | 0.9 |
Clean | 116 | 99.1 |
Total | 117 | 100.0 |
IGA*; Intentional Grievous Assaults.
・ Resource persons
Out of the 117 respondents, 39.3% (46/117) stated that their mom was dearest to them, and then follows their friend 25.6% (30/117). The father accounted for only 17.9% (21/117). The brothers and sisters were less dear, respectively 6.8% and 4.3%.
・ Experience of the court ruling
The proportion of DCAUCO who pleaded guilty was 71.8%; those who pleaded not guilty were 17.1% whilst 11.1% were without notice.
・ Closeness to numinous
With regard to faith system, 72.6% of DCAUCO practise a religion within the prison, 10.3% had become fervent, 11.1% had a syncretistic practice and 6% had no religious practice.
・ Openness to external world (visit)
Out of the 117 DCAUCO in the study, 76.9% had people visiting them in prison based on the distribution in
In the study, the average age of respondents was 16.1 ± 1.1 years ranging from 11 to 18 years. The prevalence of male juveniles was 95.7% with a sex-ratio H/F of 22.4. Those who were 17 years (43.6%) were more represented. This result is the same as the one recorded by Zimmermann et al. [
Number | Percentage (%) | |
---|---|---|
Visit | ||
Often | 18 | 15.4 |
Sometimes | 33 | 28.2 |
Rare | 39 | 33.3 |
Never | 27 | 23.1 |
Total | 117 | 100.0 |
Father | ||
Yes | 39 | 43.3 |
No | 51 | 56.7 |
Total | 90 | 100.0 |
Mother | ||
Yes | 52 | 57.8 |
No | 38 | 42.2 |
Total | 90 | 100.0 |
Guardians | ||
Yes | 2 | 2.2 |
No | 88 | 97.8 |
Total | 90 | 100.0 |
Other Visitors | ||
Yes | 50 | 55.6 |
No | 40 | 44.4 |
Total | 90 | 100.0 |
system.
On the whole DCAUCO in Benin (2015), 12.0% were orphans of both parents and 23.9% were in 1st or 3rd position following childbirth. Children from broken families accounted for 30.8%, and 0.9% were from single-parent families. The study of Raymond et al. specifies that at the time of committing the offense leading to their current sentence, 42% of the adolescents were living in a single-parent family headed by the mother. This leads to concluding that in terms of social determinants of delinquency, the presence of both parents in ensuring the education of the child could be a protective factor against juvenile delinquency.
The rate of school dropout was 76.9%. Juvenile offenders in Benin CP dropped out from school from class 1 to class 6 (41.0%). This “dropout was associated with personal, familial or educational difficulties which, cumulatively foster the emergence of accession or success-related-issues in school” [
Out of the 90 detainees who were in school, 76 (84.4%) came mainly from public institutions against 14 (15.6%) from private institutions. The low level of education and other cultural causes would favor the adoption of criminal behaviors among these juveniles. Delinquency is closely associated with education and material insecurity.
A high proportion of indifference and act of negligence (61.5%) was noted on the part of the fathers (see
・ Sexual behaviors
Less than one third of DCAUCO (26.9%) was 15 years before the 1st sexual intercourse; 1.5% of them were only 8 years. For 51.3% the sexual partner is not specified. In 12% cases it is a girl in the neighborhood, whilst the housemaid represented (6%) and the inbred sister (2.3%). As soon as the parent is no longer accessible to the child to support him in terms of sexual ethics, the child is sexually initiated by the neighboring or the inbred sister. The boundary is then quickly crossed. In a study on juvenile sex offenders, Rabaux [
・ Inappropriate behavior
Before being subjected to the law, these juveniles were committing: burglary and theft (41.9%), rape (15.4), fighting (11.1%). When the extinction of these behaviors is not achieved, they determine later the causes of prosecution within the framework of social defense. Early dropout from school, aggressiveness, peers pressure and the risk-taking environment have a negative impact on the internalization of the patterns of social good behavior among these juveniles. More than one third of the DCAUCO (41%) had mild behavioral disorders and for 51.3%, the age of the starting of these disorders is unknown. In the social imagination, there is a link between behavioral disorders and traditional rituals such as baptism and healing. Ritual ceremonies were conducted for 31.6% of DCAUCO involved in the study. However, subsequent behavioral disorder was not attributable to the absence of ceremony at birth (86.5%). Addiction to alcohol (46.2%), tobacco (23.9%), and cannabis (10.3%) by the DCAUCO reveal that the detention of juvenile offenders as correctional measure in the current state is to be reconsidered for a real protection of these juvenile offenders.
Theft (46.2%), rape (19.7%), assassination/murder (13.7%), intentional grievous assaults (5.1%), cyber crime (7.7%) and manslaughter (6.8%) were the main offenses committed by the DCAUCO (see
Resource persons for the DCAUCO in the study were; mother 39.3% and friend(s) 19.7%. The mother was the confidante of the detained adolescents, followed by friends. The father accounted for 17.9%. The negative influence of peers, financial problems and/or the difficulties to communicate with the parents did not allow them to express their emotional and material needs without infringing social standards. Consequently, the resolution of the problems was “poor” in at least one third (41.9%) of the DCAUCO.
The prevalence of juveniles who received visitors in prison was to 76.9% (cf.
Juvenile delinquency has now become alarmingly common in our environment. It has also become more violent and particularly concerns juveniles. A number of risk factors, principally family dysfunction contributes to this scourge. In our study, the judicial qualifications of offenses commit namely theft, rape, murder, assassination, poisoning, drug abuse, and cyber crimeraise fear of delaying our country’s development. But the fact is that most plead guilty is a resilience factor to be wisely utilized by remedial actions aimed at children and adolescents protection for better social roles assignment.
None.
AnselmeDjidonou,Francis TognonTchégnonsi,Jean-MarieAdovoékpé,Iréti Nethania ElieAtaïgba,Amadou SoulémaneKpakatia,EmilieFiossi-Kpadonou,ProsperGandaho,JosianeHoungbé-Ezin, (2016) Epidemiological and Psychosocial Profile of Juvenile Delinquency: Case Study of Delinquent Children and Adolescents under Court Order in Benin (2015). Open Journal of Psychiatry,06,135-142. doi: 10.4236/ojpsych.2016.62016