Citation

Atilola O. Youth Justice 2013; 13(1): 3-16.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, National Association for Youth Justice, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1365480212474731

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

There is a real prospect of a significant increase in the number of children and young people processed through the juvenile/youth justice system in Nigeria. Yet, both community- and institutionally-based structures for juvenile/youth justice management are grossly inadequate and have led to 'crisis' conditions. Several countries in sub-Saharan Africa are either in the middle of, or have concluded, sweeping changes in their youth/juvenile justice systems. A common feature of these reforms is the strengthening of diversion programmes. Drawing on the lessons generated by such initiatives, this article makes various recommendations towards advancing juvenile/youth justice policy and practice in Nigeria with a particular emphasis on diversion programmes.

Language: en