Contributors to criminal behaviours amongst juveniles at Durban Youth Correctional Centre: a qualitative exploratory study

Abstract

In South Africa's criminal justice system, juvenile delinquency is still a major problem, especially in high-crime cities like Durban. The factors influencing the criminal behaviour of fifteen (N=15) male juveniles at the Durban Youth Correctional Centre (DYCC) were examined in this qualitative exploratory study. The study used semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, based on Agnew's General Strain Theory (GST), to identify the lived experiences and pathways leading to criminality. Findings: Four main themes were found to contribute to offending trajectories: (i) the absence of positive role models and the fragmentation of families; (ii) the widespread influence of gang subcultures that offer a substitute sense of belonging; (iii) systemic socioeconomic despair brought on by high unemployment and poverty; and (iv) institutional failures within the social welfare and educational safety nets. Conclusion: According to the research, juvenile criminality may be a maladaptive reaction to ongoing structural and environmental stress. In an attempt to restore a sense of agency, vulnerable kids in urban townships frequently turn to delinquent peer groups due to status frustration resulting from relative lack. Recommendations: The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) should switch from offense-based to factor-based rehabilitation, with a focus on family-mediated reconciliation. In addition, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)-aligned vocational training and "trauma-informed" aftercare must be given top priority by policy in order to alleviate the structural obstruction of genuine economic opportunities.