A Study on Risk Factors on Recidivism Among Juveniles with Special Reference to Tamil Nadu

: Juvenile recidivism has changed over time to reflect shifting perspectives on juvenile crime and delinquency. Juveniles were frequently treated the same as adult offenders in the early 19th century and subjected to similar harsh punishments. To provide rehabilitation rather than punishment, juvenile courts were created in the late 19th century as a result of a greater understanding of teenage development. The major objective of the study is to identify the risk factors that contribute to the reoffending behaviour of juveniles in the region. The researcher has adopted an empirical research method. The sample frame is in and around Chennai and sample size is 200.The findings suggest that efforts should be made to educate both the young and old about the problem of juvenile recidivism in order to raise society's awareness of this issue. Males and girls view peer pressure and poverty differently as causes of adolescent recidivism, demonstrating the need for a more thorough investigation into the issue. Initiatives promoting community service are seen as an effective strategy for lowering juvenile recidivism, particularly among respondents who were either undergraduates or employed in the private sector or as independent contractors. The study also emphasises the necessity for solutions to the issue of adolescent recidivism that take gender into consideration. Overall, the results indicate that decreasing recidivism is regarded as a success for youth correctional services particularly by younger respondents. Hence, restorative justice initiatives place a focus on mending wrongs and attending to victims' needs while also making young people accountable for their deeds and care community ensure that young people continue to receive assistance and resources after leaving the legal system can help keep them from reoffending.


Introduction:
Recidivism is the repeated engagement in criminal behaviour, and it is a significant problem among juvenile offenders.(Nanjunda, 2019) According to experts, juvenile delinquents are primarily the product of societal flaws; all of them require special care and close monitoring at this age.Various research has been conducted over the last 50 years on various topics that aid in comprehending juvenile concerns in various cultures and societies.The emergence of a "culture of indifference," hostility, violence, haughtiness, arrogance, depression, and irresponsibility among modern kids is contributing to a high level of deviance among juveniles.According to development specialists, recent developmental characteristics such as shifting and new social, economic, political, and cultural arrangements in modern society as a result of rapid industrialization and urbanisation are functioning as causing factors for the rapid increase in recidivism characteristics among juvenile offenders.Understanding the risk factors for recidivism is crucial for preventing future criminal activity and promoting successful rehabilitation and reintegration.
Risk factors for recidivism among juveniles can be classified into several categories, including individuallevel factors such as age, gender, and prior criminal history, and social and environmental factors such as family dynamics, education, and community [1].(Neupane and Uprety, 2021) pointed out that Juvenile delinquency and its recidivism is the act of engaging in unlawful behaviour as a minor or as an individual under the age of majority.In Nepal, there is an increasing tendency of juveniles committing violent crimes.Family characteristics such as family functioning, parental monitoring, parental participation, parental supervision, and parental attachment were found to be greater in controls than cases in bivariate analysis.However, family violence was shown to be more prevalent in cases than in the control group.Furthermore, child age, aggressive behaviour, family structure, family financial condition, punitive parenthood, mother education level, and parental attachment were determined to be important factors influencing juvenile delinquency based on fitted logistic regression.Age, aggressive behaviour, family structure, and family financial situation were discovered to be risk factors for juvenile delinquency in this study [2].Other factors that have been associated with an increased risk of recidivism include substance abuse, mental health issues, and gang involvement.It is important to note that no single factor can predict recidivism, and the risk is likely to be the result of a complex interplay of multiple factors.As such, a comprehensive understanding of the risk factors for recidivism among juveniles is essential for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.(Yao, 2023) conducted interviews with juvenile offenders in L City in 2018, sought to examine and study the reasons for juvenile delinquency in the study.The data for the qualitative study was analysed using Grounded Theory, and the related concepts and theories were developed after open coding, axial coding, and selective coding of the information obtained from the interviews; the study revealed that adolescents disordered early family life was the key to their disorder of life, and the deviation of the life course was an important reason for their criminal offences.The key concept discovered in this study is "life order."A set of guidelines for social organisations and education departments on how to actively carry out parent classroom projects, provide active aid to troubled families and minors, and develop the personal resilience of young children in difficult environments [3].There are several factors that can affect the risk factors for recidivism among juveniles, including Personal characteristics such as age, gender, and prior criminal history can impact the risk of recidivism.Young people who engage in criminal behaviour at a younger age, for example, may be more likely to continue that behaviour into adulthood.Family and home environment is a troubled family or home environment, including neglect, abuse, or trauma, can increase the risk of recidivism among juveniles.Conversely, a supportive and stable home environment can help reduce the risk of reoffending.Education in juveniles who have a poor educational experience or limited job opportunities may be more likely to engage in criminal behaviour.(Sumari et al., 2021) emphasised on the association between numerous family-related characteristics and criminality.The study also aimed to determine whether those factors could be agents of "juvenile delinquency".While there are numerous elements that influence the formation of a kid's character, the family plays a major role in child development, hence influencing a child's character.According to the study, there are several significant family-related factors that influence youth crime.Parental attitudes, family cohesion, physical violence, and uninvolved parenting are examples of these.Non-family variables influencing adolescent misbehaviour include the failure of the juvenile justice system, poverty, a lack of access to education, drug misuse, and genetic issues [4].(Obindah, 2023) overlooked into the effects of juvenile delinquency on the academic performance of secondary school students in Rivers State's Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.The findings indicate that the causes of juvenile recidivism are the home environment/family socioeconomic position, school environment, peer pressure, negative messages from the media, student attitudes, and so on.Based on the findings, it is advised that the government develop a robust counselling unit in each school in order to improve students' behavioural and academic problems.School authorities should limit, or if possible, eliminate, the policy of suspending and expelling children from schools, as such measures may lead to kids dropping out and, as a result, some of these students engaging in antisocial behaviour out of frustration.[5] (Asif Farooq Zai et.al, 2020) stated that the fact that the problem of adolescent delinquency and its recidivism is particularly serious in modern society.Economic disparity, mass globalization, unfettered access to communication, the development of democracy, and a variety of social issues frequently elicits negative reactions among adolescents.The survey found that juvenile delinquency is still a major issue.The negative trend associated with Russia's worsening economic condition and poorer living standard, particularly minors, results in increased psychological and emotional overload and a widening crisis in family connections, leading to the reemergence of social phenomena such as child neglect [6].Juveniles with mental health or substance abuse issues are at increased risk of recidivism.Providing access to effective mental health and substance abuse treatment is crucial for reducing the risk of reoffending.(Acharya, 2017) The primary goal was to investigate the prevalence of adolescent delinquency from a psychological standpoint.As a result, the sample was drawn from juvenile homes in Delhi, where juvenile delinquents are housed.A sample of 60 juvenile delinquent boys and girls between the ages of 16 and 18 years is drawn at random.Juveniles who commit significant crimes risk their future in order to protest perceived injustices against them.This causes individuals to experience psychological depression, which leads to them committing additional crimes [7].Juveniles who associate with peers who engage in criminal behaviour are more likely to engage in criminal behaviour themselves.Positive peer influence, on the other hand, can help reduce the risk of recidivism.The community in which a juvenile lives can also impact the risk of recidivism.Communities with high levels of poverty, gang activity, or drug use, for example, may pose a higher risk for young people.It is important to note that these risk factors are interconnected and often interdependent, and that the relative importance of each factor can vary depending on the individual and the context in which they live.Addressing the complex interplay of risk factors is essential for reducing the risk of recidivism among juveniles.(Patacchini and Zenou, 2009) had stated that conformism behaviour influences individual criminal outcomes and a social network model of peer effects with ex ante heterogeneous actors and demonstrated how conformism and deterrence influence criminal behaviour.The model is then applied to data using a very detailed data set of adolescent friendship networks.Peer effects observed for various sorts of crimes using a novel social network-based empirical technique and that uniformity is significant in all crimes, particularly tiny crimes.This indicates that, in the case of juvenile criminality, a good policy should be assessed not just by the potential crime reduction but also by the group relationships it fosters [8].(Reeta, 2020) This paper examines the relationship between peer groups and adolescent criminality.This research tries to explain the impact of peer pressure on adolescent delinquency.The maximum quantity of communication and peer structure may be some of the reasons why the youngster is more inclined to engage in delinquent actions.Peer behaviour patterns, different types of activities, and peer structure all have a substantial impact on kid behaviour.This research investigates the presence of peer pressure in adolescents and how it can impact or create leverage for nonconformity to society norms and regulations.The influence of peers on social development in middle childhood is critical because this is the time when the first friendships are formed.Group dynamics, delinquent peer subculture, peer acceptability of delinquent behaviour, and punishments for nonconformity, which include ridicule, derision, ostracism, and even violence in some situations, are highlighted as major features of the peer pressure process [9].(Pender, 2021) Juveniles frequently make decisions based on socialization and behaviours learned at an early age.Experiences of socialization that can either safeguard or lead to negative effects such as juvenile delinquency.Due to the large number of youths today participating in criminal acts, it is critical to investigate the role of socialisation in delinquency.Youth under the age of 18 commit a wide range of violent and nonviolent crimes.The key conclusions are that both parental supervision and peer influence have a major impact on adolescent criminality, both individually and collectively [10].The number of murder cases in which juveniles were named as accused has more than doubled in the five years from 2016 to 2020 till now in Tamil Nadu, according to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports.This was despite no sharp increase in the overall number of murders that took place in the state every year since 2016.While 48 of the 1,603 murders (3%) had juveniles among the accused in 2016, 104 of the 1661 murders (6.3%), till 2023, involved juvenile offenders [11].There are two types of homes for minors that are in legal trouble: Special housing and observation homes 1. Juveniles who are suspected of breaking the law are placed in observation homes for a temporary stay.
The JJ Act, 2000, stipulates in Section 8 that observation homes must be established and kept maintained in each district or set of districts.These homes serve as temporary housing for minors while investigations are ongoing.Tamil Nadu has eight observation homes in all.2. Special homes: Every district or a group of districts may create and maintain special homes in accordance with Section 9 of the JJ Act, 2000.Special houses are designed to help rehabilitate young people who have run afoul of the law.There are two special homes, one for boys and one for girls.Munney Rahat Jan Khan V. State of UP, 2006 AIR (SC) 2902: "While challenging the order of the High Court which upheld conviction U/S 302 read with Section 34 IPC and sentence of imprisonment of life imposed by first Addl.Sessions Judge, the appellant also took a plea that he was a juvenile as on the date of incident which took place on 11.11.78.The appellant was convicted by Ld.ASJ on 26.02.80 and at that time Uttar Pradesh Children Act, 1951 was applicable which afforded protection to a child and defined a child U/S 2(4) to be a person Under the age of 16 years.The court considered the fact that appellant in his statement U/S 313 Cr.P.C. recorded on 19.01.80 has given his age as 18 years and claimed to be studying in 12th Class which reflected his age to be nearly 17 years at the time of occurrence.No plea that appellant was child was taken during the course of trial or in appeal before High Court and hence it was concluded that appellant was not child at the time of commission of offence" [12].Pawan V. State of Uttaranchal, (SC) 2009(2) RCR (Criminal) 451 "The question is: should an inquiry be made or report be called for from the trial court invariably where juvenility is claimed for the first time before this Court.Where the materials placed before this Court by the accused, prima facie, suggest that the accused was 'juvenile' as defined in the Act, 2000 on the date of incident, it may be necessary to call for the report or an inquiry be ordered to be made.However, in a case where plea of juvenility is found unscrupulous or the materials lack credibility or do not inspire confidence and even, prima facie, satisfaction of the court is not made out; we do not think any further exercise in this regard is necessary.If the plea of juvenility was not raised before the trial court or the High Court and is raised for the first time before this court, the judicial conscience of the court must be satisfied by placing adequate and satisfactory material that the accused had not attained age of eighteen years on the date of commission of offence; sans such material any further inquiry into juvenility would be unnecessary [13].The 2013 case Mukesh vs. State (NCT) Delhi (2017) 6 SCC 1. Thursday, July 25, is the Juvenile Justice Board in New Delhi.verdict of the child defendant's involvement in the well-known gang rape case on December 16.It is the first verdict in the gang-rape case from December 16, 2012, in which six people severely assaulted a 23-year-old paramedical student while she was riding a moving bus in the nation's capital.The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), led by principal magistrate Geethanjali Goel, ended its investigation into the juvenile on July 5.The juvenile was described as the "most brutal" of the six accused individuals.The investigation into the juvenile started in March.Following the last round of arguments, the court reserved its decision (JJB ruling from July 25, 2013) [14].This is an important issue for the criminal justice system, as high recidivism rates can perpetuate a cycle of crime and incarceration, with significant social and economic costs.In North America, for example, the recidivism rate for young people leaving custody has been reported to be as high as 96 percent.The recidivism rate, or the rate at which individuals who have been released from custody return to criminal behaviour and end up back in custody, is a complex issue.The reported figure of 96% for young people leaving custody in North America is high and suggests a need for improved re-entry and rehabilitation programs to help reduce the likelihood of reoffending.The rates of juvenile recidivism can vary greatly between different countries, depending on various factors such as the criminal justice system, the availability of rehabilitation and re-entry programs, and the social and economic conditions that young people face after leaving custody.For example, countries with well-developed rehabilitation programs and strong social safety nets, such as Scandinavia, tend to have lower rates of juvenile recidivism compared to countries with weaker support systems and less investment in rehabilitation.It is important to note that the data on recidivism rates can also be affected by differences in how recidivism is defined and measured, as well as the methods used to collect data.Despite these challenges, comparative studies of recidivism rates across countries can provide valuable insights into best practices for reducing reoffending and improving outcomes for young people who have been involved with the criminal justice system.The rates of juvenile recidivism in the USA, UK, and India can vary.However, it is difficult to make a direct comparison due to differences in how recidivism is defined and measured in each country, as well as differences in the criminal justice systems and support structures for young people leaving custody.In the USA, the rate of juvenile recidivism has been reported to be high, with some studies indicating that up to 60% of young people released from juvenile detention facilities reoffend within three years.In the UK, the rate of juvenile recidivism is lower than in the USA, with some estimates suggesting that around 30-40% of young people released from custody reoffend within one year.In India, data on juvenile recidivism is limited, but studies have suggested that the rate is relatively high, with many young people who have been involved with the criminal justice system facing significant challenges in their transition to adulthood, including poverty, lack of education, and limited job opportunities.In conclusion, it is important to note that the high rates of juvenile recidivism in these countries highlight the need for effective rehabilitation and re-entry programs to help young people successfully transition back into society and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.Objectives 1.To assess the current rate of juvenile recidivism in Tamil Nadu. 2. To identify the major factors that contribute to the reoffending behaviour of juveniles in the region.3. To raise awareness among policy-makers, practitioners, and the general public about the importance of addressing juvenile recidivism and promoting successful re-entry into society.

Methodology
The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors that contribute towards juvenile recidivism.The study is based on both secondary and primary data for the study and it is collected from 208 sample respondents by using well-structured questionnaires.The sampling method used in the study is convenient sampling.The independent variables are age gender occupation education qualification.The dependent variable is based on public opinion on the factors and impacts inducing the juvenile recidivism in the society.The tools of analysis in the study or pie charts, graphs by using SPSS software for a meaningful analysis.

Hypothesis
Null Hypothesis: There is no relation between educational qualification and their opinion on factors causing the juvenile turning into a recidivist.Alternate Hypothesis: There is relation between educational qualification and their factors causing the juvenile turning into a recidivist.From the above table we could infer that relation between educational qualification and their factors causing the juvenile turning into a recidivist as the value is below 0.05 hence alternative hypothesis is accepted.It indicates that there is a significant relationship between the independent variable educational qualification and the dependent variable factors causing the juvenile turning into a recidivist.It's evident by the result that when it comes to reducing or eliminating juvenile recidivism, education is essential.While a lack of education can raise the likelihood of reoffending, supportive surroundings and high-quality education can be invaluable resources for rehabilitation.
There are several elements that affect the association between education and recidivism, such as socioeconomic status, the accessibility of resources, and the calibre of interventions offered.Reducing youth recidivism rates requires addressing these problems comprehensively.When it comes to reducing or eliminating juvenile recidivism, education is essential.While a lack of education can raise the likelihood of reoffending, supportive surroundings and high-quality education can be invaluable resources for rehabilitation.Many factors impact the correlation between education and recidivism.

Figure 6 It Shows The Age Distribution of The Sample Population and Their Agree Ability On
Reducing Recidivism is a Key Indicator Of Success For Juvenile Correction Agencies.

Discussion
From Figure 1, we could infer that the majority of age group 31-45 or moderately aware about juvenile turning into recidivists in the present society (41.00%), followed by age group 18-30 (28.00%) and age group 46-60 (14.50%).Those between the ages of 31 and 45 are more conscious of juvenile recidivism in society than those between the ages of 18 and 30 and those between the ages of 46 and 60.According to the research, society should put more effort into teaching both the young and the old about the problem of juvenile recidivism.
From Figure 2, we could infer that the majority of male respondents have given poverty as a factor, more likely for juveniles, turning into recidivists (32.50%) and the majority of female respondents feel peer pressure as a factor (20.00%).to the statistics, male respondents most frequently mentioned poverty as a reason why young people became recidivists, whereas female respondents mostly cited peer pressure.This gender-based perception gap emphasises the need for a more complex analysis of the problem of juvenile recidivism.
From Figure 3, we could infer that the majority of the undergraduate population stated community service would help dissuade youth from committing crime (41.50%), followed by post graduates (22.50%).Under-graduate respondents are more likely than post-graduate respondents to believe that community service will prevent youngsters from committing crimes.According to this finding, community service initiatives may be a useful tactic for reducing juvenile recidivism.
From Figure 4, we could infer that the majority of self-employed respondents have given four scale ratings on whether the current government, judiciary and local authority is doing enough to prevent youth crimes (36.50%), followed by private sector employees giving five skill ratings (25.50%).The data reveals that self-employed respondents gave a better rating to the efforts made by the federal, state, and municipal governments to deter young criminality.This result shows that these people see the government's efforts to lower juvenile recidivism more favourably.
From Figure 5, we could infer that the majority of the undergraduate population agree that reducing recidivism is a key indicator of success for juvenile correction agencies (42.50%), followed by the majority of post graduates having given neutral opinion (22.50).Post-graduate respondents had a more neutral perspective, undergraduate respondents strongly concur that minimising recidivism is a significant metric of success for juvenile correctional facilities.This study implies that while the elderly may have different goals, the younger generation is more interested in minimising juvenile recidivism.
From Figure 6, we could infer that the majority of age group 31-45 agree that reducing residue wisdom is a key indicator of success for corruption agencies (34.50%), followed by age group 18-30 (27.50%).Those between the ages of 18 and 30 are the most likely to strongly agree that reducing recidivism is a crucial sign of success for youth correctional facilities.Figure 1's result that people in the age range of 31 to 45 are more conscious of juvenile recidivism in society is consistent with this finding.From Figure 7, we could infer that the majority of male respondents have given four scale ratings on whether the current government judiciary or local authority is doing enough to prevent crimes (40.50%), followed by the majority of female respondents given five skill ratings (27.50%).The data demonstrates that male respondents had a more positive impression of the government's efforts to prevent crimes, whereas female respondents have a more negative perception.This result raises the possibility that gender may influence how people see government initiatives to lower juvenile recidivism.
From Figure 8, we could infer that a majority of undergraduates are moderately aware of juveniles turning into recidivists in the present society (41.50%) followed by post graduates (22.50%).Respondents who are undergraduates are more conscious of juvenile recidivism in society than respondents who are postgraduates.This result raises the possibility that a person's knowledge of the problem of juvenile recidivism may be influenced by their educational background.
From Figure 9, we could infer that the majority of private sector employees who have given community service would help dissuade youth from recommitting crimes (35.50%), followed by self-employed respondents (30.50%).Respondents who are employed by the private sector and those who are selfemployed believe that community service programmes can assist and prevent youngsters from committing crimes.This study raises the possibility that community service initiatives, particularly those targeting the corporate sector, could be successful in reducing youth recidivism.
From Figure 10, we could infer that the majority of male respondents feel community service as a factor to dissipate youth from committing crimes (52.50%) followed by females (26.00%).The data reveals that male respondents feel that community service programmes will help deter youngsters from committing crimes more strongly than female respondents.The necessity for gender-sensitive remedies to the problem of adolescent recidivism is highlighted by this research.

Conclusion
Even though there has been a shift in recent years towards a more rehabilitative strategy, there is still much that needs to be done to lower juvenile recidivism and enhance outcomes for children who interact with the court system.The major objective of the study is to identify the risk factors that contribute to the reoffending behaviour of juveniles in the region.Based on the numerous findings shown in the figures, it can be deduced that efforts should be made to educate both the young and old about the problem of juvenile recidivism in order to raise society's awareness of this issue.Effective strategies to address the risk factors linked to adolescent delinquency have been identified through research.Cognitive-behavioural therapy, mentoring, and family-based programmes are a few examples of these approaches.Generally, changes in views about juvenile crime and the role of the justice system in combating it are reflected in the evolution of juvenile recidivism.Males and females view peer pressure and poverty differently as causes of adolescent recidivism, demonstrating the need for a more thorough investigation into the issue.Initiatives promoting community service are seen as an effective strategy for lowering juvenile recidivism, particularly among respondents who were either undergraduates or employed in the private sector or as independent contractors.The study also emphasizes the necessity for solutions to the issue of adolescent recidivism that take gender into consideration.Overall, the results indicate that decreasing recidivism is regarded as a success for youth correctional services particularly by younger respondents.

Analysis Figure 1
It Shows The Age Distribution of The Sample Population and Their Awareness onJuveniles Turning into Recidivists in The Present Society.

Figure 2
Figure 2 It shows The Gender Distribution of Sample Population, And Their Opinion on The Risk Levels, more likely For Juvenile Recidivism.

Figure 3
Figure 3 It Shows The Educational Qualification Distribution of The Sample Population and Their Opinion on The Factors Which Would Help Dissuade Youth From Committing Crimes or Help inThe Rehabilitation of The Youth that have Committed Crimes.

Figure 4 Figure 5
Figure 4 It shows The Occupation, Distribution of The Sample Population and Their Opinion on Whether The Current Government, Judiciary or Local Authority is Doing Enough To PreventCrimes.

Figure 7
Figure 7 It shows The Occupation Distribution of The Sample Population and Their On Current Government, Judicial or Local Authorities, Doing Enough to Prevent Crimes.

Figure 8
Figure 8 It Shows The Educational Qualification Distribution of The Sample Population and Their Awareness on Juveniles Turning into Recidivist in The Present Society.

Figure 9
Figure 9 It shows The Occupation Distribution of The Sample Population and Their Opinion on Factors that Dissuade Youth From Committing Crime or Help In The Rehabilitation of Those that Have Committed Crimes.

Figure 10
Figure 10 It shows The Gender Distribution of The Sample Population and Their Opinion on Factors, The Desert Youth From Committing Crimes or Help in The Rehabilitation of those Committed Crimes.