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DE-STIGMATIZING JUVENILE INSTITUTIONS DE-STIGMATIZING JUVENILE INSTITUTIONS THROUGH MAGNET THEATRETHROUGH MAGNET THEATRE
“A c“A case study of Shikusa Boston Institution”ase study of Shikusa Boston Institution”
Dennis O. OpiyoDennis O. Opiyo
Magnet Theatre CoordinatorMagnet Theatre CoordinatorJijazie Hybrid ThespiansJijazie Hybrid Thespians
J
Definition of stigmaDefinition of stigma
• Stigma – is a spoilt identity, to label someone, to see someone as inferior because of an attribute they have
Three types of stigma
• Self stigma – self-hatred, Shame, feeling judged by others and isolate them selves
• Felt stigma – perception or feelings towards PLHWAs
• Enacted stigma or Discrimination
Discos… of confinement areas Discos… of confinement areas
• In most states, offenders aged 18 years and above are prosecuted in adult courts and incarcerated in prisons and jails.
• While another category of age 19 – 21 who in most cases are first offenders are confined in YCTC for a period of four months (one in kamiti MP)
• Offenders aged 15 - 17 years are handled by the juvenile justice system and confined in juvenile facilities.
• While another category of aged 13 years and bellow are handled by
the children department and confined in approved schools.
Boston background informationBoston background information
Borstal institutions are youth corrective and training centers that caters for boys between ages 15-18 in conflict with the law.
There are two institutions in Kenya – Shikusa in Western and Shimo La Tewa in Coast.
In Africa there are three countries with these institutions– Kenya, Egypt and Malawi.
Institutions are administered by the Kenya Prisons Department headed by the superintendent in charge..
Young offenders serve 3 years sentence by courts with consultation from probation officers.
Release on license is done by the board on quarterly basis.
Leave of absent is done by superintendent in charge for boys in special need like medical care, education etc,
Shikusa institution admits boys from Nairobi, Nyanza, Eastern, Western, Central and parts of Riftvalley while Shimo La Tewa admits North Eastern, Coast and parts of the Rift Valley provinces
About Boston Institution About Boston Institution
Institutional ArrangementsInstitutional Arrangements
The rehabilitation programs are:
• Vocational training which include carpentry, agricultural, building and construction, electrical wiring, tailoring and sheet metal skills.
• Formal learning which comprises classes 7 and 8 where they are prepared for KCPE
Jijazie background informationJijazie background information
Jijazie Hybrid Thespian is
• A registered community based organization
• Started in 2000.
• It woks with local communities in Kakamega district and beyond.
• An absolute youth organization
Objective for Shikusa engagementsObjective for Shikusa engagements
• To give the young offenders whose minds and characters are still plastic a new outlook on life, and a standard of social behavior and respect for authority which will persist long after release.
• To reduce stigma related to juvenile institutions• To develop a wholesome personality through
school, religious and health facilities
FindingsFindings
• The Juvenile institutions have over time been mistaken for places meant to punish youth.
• Lack of acceptance by the community upon release
• Poor communication between uniformed staff members and the youth
• Unclear health service guidelines for the boys
• Parental irresponsibility• Specific STIs in the institution• An attended HIV case in the BI
Findings…Findings…• Messages circulating in the communities are full of
negative connotations labeling and debasing the young offenders as less important in the society.
• Low self esteem among the youth resulting in self stigmatization hence utter hopelessness
• Subjected to heavy and continuous labor like machines
• The vocational training skill offered are outdated
sources of stigma in places of sources of stigma in places of confinement confinement
Subsequent sources of stigma are • Prison wardens • Health facilities • Parents/families • Community• Self
Reported reasons for stigma• Crime judgment• Fear of contagion due to sanitation
InterventionsInterventions
• Jijazie have used Magnet theatre to help de-stigmatize Sikusha BI by:
• Engaging the youth in clubs and extra-curricular activities
• Creating a platform for discussion between staff and staff, staff and boys, and boys and boys
Interventions…Interventions…
3 Behavioral interventions including guiding and counseling and spir itual interventions
4 Establishing Magnet theatre sites within and around Sikusha to enhance discussion on stigma among the Sikusha community
5 Through existing networks and baraza, Jijazie reconcile the boys with the parents/community members and promote acceptance upon relies.
6 Training staff and youth on Peer Education
7 Training staff on guiding and counseling skills
Interventions…Interventions…
8 Organize integrated MT with clinic/VCT in the Institution
9 Dedicated and branded space for youth friendly resource centre at the institution
10 Trained the welfare officer to address Life skills on RH, TB and Malaria
11Incorporation of new programs e.g. IT, foreign languages
Achievements Achievements
• Reconciled 11 youths with their parents (now in sec sch)• Mobilized, 300 mattresses and 300 blankets through
PATH staffs, for the boys which have so far improved the sleeping conditions of the juveniles
• Opened a VCT centre within the institution• Trained 5 staff and 30 boys on various RH issues• Building a basketball pitch through PATH’s in the juvenile• Due to open space for dialogue and improved sanitation,
the community are changing their perception of the boys and the institution.
Lessons learnedLessons learned
• Engaging young offenders in dialogue with the Wardens through use of participatory approaches can enhance the phase of rehabilitation and positive behavior formation among the juveniles.
Jijazie Hybrid ThespiansJijazie Hybrid Thespians
Cell: +254 725 965 939
JIJAZIE
