SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS THAT AFFECT CORRECTIONAL MEASURES AGAINST CHILDREN WHO VIOLATE THE LAW: THE CASE OF EAST HARARGHE ZONE

Abstract

This study investigated socio-economic and institutional factors that affect correctional measures against children who violate the law. To this end the researcher used qualitative approach of data collection. In-depth interview was exhausted with key informants to analyze the detail condition of children who violate the law, observation was carried out to collect the data and purposive sampling was employed for sample technique as well as 16 samples were covered by the study. Collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis. With the aforementioned course of action the study founded that the family of children who violate the law does not want to be taken appropriate corrective measures from the perpetrators and taken them to the law enforcement, rather worrying only about their own societal role and parental dignity. Such problems can further complicate matters, preventing children from growing up properly and receiving proper correction. It was also found that, poverty at the family level was the most important factor contributing to the challenges against correctional measures of children who violate the law. On the other hand children have been able to mold and correct their behavior according to socially accepted values and concepts in the face of their parent’s, the correctional measures taken against children who violate the law without removing them from their families and confining them to reformatory institutions in friendly correctional dimension. The research outcome demonstrates that, Economic factors are component that influence the advancement, protection and promotion of the human rights in general and specifically to advance correctional measures. The inadequacy of the facilities, budget and resources was problems to the children approached administration for better treatment of the children who come to the correctional administration. And also, putting children in an institution encompasses the arrest and detention at the police station, to the friendly bench litigation, remand and rehabilitation at the correctional center for the purpose of correction of children who violate the law.