APPRAISAL OF THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION: SECURITY THREAT TO SOUTH EAST, NIGERIA

Abstract

Dearth of Remand and Approved Institutions have necessitated the incarceration of children in adult Correctional Centres, hence defeating the major objective of rehabilitation whose aim is to protect child offenders while in detention and refine him in order to make positive impact. The aim of this work is to advocate for the establishment of Remand and Borstal institution in the South East and for ndi igbo to collaborate with Government and establish Remand and Borstal Institutions for proper rehabilitation of children in the Southeast. The study analyses the legal frameworks that provide for the protection of children in detention centres. It x-rays the effects of incarcerating children in adult prisons. The study finds that incarceration of children in adult prison is a global challenge that is visible in many jurisdictions. The work shows that despite plethora of laws on the protection of children under the juvenile justice, that the rights of children are still violated with impunity. Furthermore, the work reveals further that there are no functional borstals or remand homes in the whole of south east and the few that are there, have gone moribund and must be revamped for adequate protection and security in the State. Furthermore, the paper reveals that child offenders in the western part of Nigeria that have access to be rehabilitated in the right environment are refined and make positive impacts. While, their counterparts in the Southeast that do not have access to Remand homes but that were habilitated in adult prisons turn out to become armed robbers, kidnappers, organ harvesters etc. Accordingly, the study recommends that ndi Igbo, should partner with the Government to establish Remand and Borstal Homes. The revamp of Remand and Borstal institution is very cardinal. Review of extant laws like 1999 Constitution (as amended) is very apposite. Furthermore, implementation of the laws and training of personnel in administration of juvenile justice is very critical for upholding the rights of the child.