Navigating Reintegration Challenges: Coping Strategies of Juvenile Offenders in Ghana

Ghana’s juvenile justice system lacks formal resources and systems to aid juveniles in transitioning back to society. However, there is limited information available on the reintegration of juveniles in Ghana. This study uses Folkman and Lazarus’ coping theory to investigate the challenges faced by released juveniles and the strategies they use to overcome them. A phenomenological approach was used to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of 12 male juvenile offenders released from Ghana’s senior correctional center. Poverty, stigma, and limited educational and employment opportunities were identified as the most significant obstacles faced by the participants. However, the study also revealed that juveniles coped by relying on informal support from family and friends, assistance from a nongovernmental organization, and their own resilience. This study highlights the importance of the state providing resources and systems to support the reintegration of juvenile offenders while also recognizing the agency and resilience of these individuals. Their experiences can inform more effective policies and interventions to facilitate successful reintegration.