The Role of Borstal Homes in Nigeria: Reformation or Remaking Criminality?

Abstract

Where they are established, Borstal homes are meant to be places for reformation of juvenile and young offenders. Although they are no longer new to the modern criminal justice system, particularly in the area of corrections, people have continued to doubt their effectiveness in correcting the behavior of individuals. This paper reviewed literature on the history and purpose of Borstal homes as well as those on their effectiveness in Nigeria. It was found that, virtually all Borstal institutions in Nigeria are not living up to their expectations. Due to the dearth of facilities in the borstal centers, many juvenile delinquents are sent to adult prisons as a result of which they learn more offending, become recidivists and hardened criminals at adulthood. Those living within the borstals are not given adequate care. The paper suggested that, schools, families and community based corrections are more suitable for delinquents not closed institution, like borstal, that separate them from family and adequate education. Borstal homes should not necessarily be discarded. However, to make the institutions more effective, the government should ensure child welfare and protection, education and healthcare to the young through sincere investment and political will. This could leave the institutions with low number of young offenders that could be managed effectively.