A professor of Criminology and Juvenile Delinquency Studies in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Prof. John Domingo Inyang said for juvenile delinquency to be controlled in the society, government must formulate policies that would provide effective welfare services for the juveniles.
He added that such socio-economic services would reduce inflation as well as raise the living standard of low-income parents which should go a long way in safeguarding young persons from delinquency since the juveniles are exposed to peer and family influence.
Inyang stated this weekend while delivering the University’s 72nd inaugural lecture with the theme, ‘Juvenile Delinquency and it’s control: A synthesis towards a clearer understanding of criminal behaviour in contemporary society,’ which was held at the University’s main campus, Nwaniba Uyo.
The professor stressed that government at all levels should make deliberate attempt in satisfying the economic needs of families whose youngsters are being used for law infractions.
According to him, “measures to improve the economic conditions to reduce temptations that encourage property-related delinquent behaviour are commendable.”
He enumerated measures such as youth training scheme, proper education, general improvement on the teachers’ conditions of service as panacea to juvenile delinquency as consistent training in the homes and in schools would curb this menace.
Inyang regretted the insufficient training facilities to educate institutionalized juveniles in Akwa Ibom state noting that few ones available were more of confinement centres rather than rehabilitation homes.
“Since the creation of Akwa Ibom state in 1987, no regime has shown sufficient interest in funding projects which would improve the welfare services for young persons. There is no sufficient training facilities to educate institutionalized juveniles rather we have what looks like confinement centre mainly for punitive reasons.” Inwang said.
He, therefore, challenged the local people to initiate a community project which would be funded by both the state and federal government where incarcerated juveniles would be kept to undergo character reformation, training in trade and craftmanship with proper supervision.
However, the vice-chancellor of the University, Prof. Enefiok Essien (SAN) in his remarks commended the inaugural lecturer for the job well done describing the topic as apt and timely.
He said the best way to reduce crime is to ensure that juvenile delinquency is tackled noting that failure to address juvenile delinquency of today would lead to increase in criminal behaviour as well as security problems of tomorrow.
