Do Young Offenders’ Correctional Centers Reform or Harden Them? the Case of Ghana

Whether young offenders' correctional centers reform or harden them is highly debatable since it is complex and varies depending on multiple factors, such as rehabilitation programs, staff engagement, and influences from hardened inmates. Research has shown that correctional centers with vital rehabilitation programs can positively influence young offenders, helping them reintegrate into society. On the other hand, some studies indicate that correctional centers can harden young offenders, especially if the centers lack adequate support systems and prioritize punishment over rehabilitation. Peer influence from more hardened criminals and the stigma associated with incarceration may also reinforce criminal identities. Against this backdrop, this study addressed this fundamental question: Does Ghana’s senior correctional center reform or harden its inmates? Using data from semi-structured in-depth interviews with released young offenders in Ghana, the study indicates that the environment at Ghana's senior correctional center has the potential to both reform and harden inmates. However, the study shows that individual inmates' ultimate trajectory, whether towards hardening or reformation, depends mainly on their agency, rehabilitation programs, and correctional officers' support and positive attitude. This study contributes to the empirical and theoretical debates on whether correctional centers reform or harden inmates, especially in the African context. Regardless of their reformation/rehabilitation during incarceration, whether the young offenders refrain from reoffending after their release is dependent primarily on the reintegration support available to them.