Expected functions of an effective child justice system administration? A framework developed through a qualitative study in Turkey

Abstract

Research problem / aim: Turkey initiated its first specialized child court in 1987, but the most visible improvements towards establishing child-specific judicial procedures were only achieved in 2005, when the Child Protection Law (CPL) became effective. This Law required the involvement of several agencies in both providing protection for children and adjudicating them when they were involved in delinquency. After this Law was enacted several comprehensive projects were carried out, different institutions were established, and different legal and policy changes took place to maintain the effective administration of child justice procedures. Yet, practical observations of these different stake holders indicated that a useful, productive, and cohesive system in coordinating these various agencies involved in the child justice system procedural processes was not fully achieved as of 2016. The primary objective of this study was to develop a framework on how an effective child justice administration system should be established and what kinds of functions it should carry out in Turkey.Method: This study, first of all, provides an analysis of the existing practices and procedures of the various agencies involved in administering child justice procedures through a series of systematic observations, as well as focus group and in-depth interviews with key informants.Findings: The findings of this study yielded propositions on the general principles, functions, and the bureaucratic nature of such system that can increase the overall effectiveness of the outcomes of the juvenile justice processes.Conclusion: This study concludes with a discussion of how the study findings should be utilized in both the Turkish and international contexts.