Authors: Ms. Moomba Thornicroft, Mary Kagujje, Kabaghe Tamiwe, Tamala Zgambo, Sisa Hatwiinda, Sara Nyangu, Moonga Clement, Monde Muyoyeta.
Citation Style For This Article: Thornicroft M, Kagujje M, Tamiwe K, et al. Identifying Barriers to Accessing Health Services: Detention Period For Juvenile Offenders In Adult Correctional Facilities Zambia. Health Press Zambia Bull. 2020; 4(4); pp 23
Background
The juvenile act of the laws of Zambia stipulates that as much as possible, authorities should avoid detention of juveniles and if juveniles are detained, as much as possible, they should be prevented from associating with adults who are charged with an offence. Juveniles in conflict with the law in Zambia are detained in adult correctional facilities before they are ordered (sentenced). Detention in adult correctional facilities which are often overcrowded not only exposes juveniles to certain criminal behaviour but also increases their risk for sexual abuse, mental health disorders, malnutrition, and infectious diseases including HIV and TB. A survey was conducted to understand the average period of detention of juveniles in adult correctional facilities and the reasons for delayed transfer to juvenile appropriate facilities.
Methods
Data was collected from 10 correctional facilities as part of the baseline assessment by the Elton John AIDS Foundation EJJOH project. A desk review of admission files was done to determine the average detention period in adult correctional facilities. 224 juveniles aged between 14 and 19 were interviewed in the presence of a correctional officer to understand the reasons why they were still detained in adult correctional facilities.
Results
A total of 224 juveniles were found in adult correctional facilities. The juvenile detention period in adult correctional facilities ranged from 54- 1,324 days. Of the juveniles interviewed, 130 (58%) had delayed High Court confirmations for 6 months or longer, 38 (17%) lost documentation or transferred from other districts without the necessary documentation, 20 (9%) had been waiting for transfer to Reformatory/ Approved schools for 6 months or longer, 26 (12%) awaiting trial or committal to the high court, 10(4%) had no guardian/ Social Welfare representation during hearings, no witnesses, age determination reports,
Conclusions
Juveniles stay in adult correctional facilities for extended durations; the factors contributing to prolonged detention in adult correctional facilities are primarily system factors. Without these factors being addressed, prolonged stay of juveniles in adult correctional facilities will continue to be a structural barrier to accessing appropriate health services
Recommendations:
• Juvenile offenders should be given alternative corrective measures without incarceration
• Correction services should have deliberate health policies for incarcerated juveniles
• Juvenile offenders should be separated from adult inmates at all costs
Keywords: Juvenile, Detention period, barriers to health services, Correctional service