Psychosocial Impacts of Imprisonment among Youth Offenders in Correctional Administration Center, Kellem Wollega Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

A research study was conducted to assess the psychological impact of imprisonment among youth offendersat selected correction administrative center, Kellem Wollega zone, Ethiopia.The objectives were to assess the respondent’s socio-demographic characteristics, to investigate thepsychosocial impacts of imprisonment on Youth Offenders and to identify the difference on Youthimprisonment level with the residence and gender of offenders.Crosses sectional study was conducted with 83 youth offenders were selected by systematic samplingtechnique. The data were collected by using standardized questionnaires. The collected data was tabulatedand analyzed with SPSS. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used.Researchers observed that causes of imprisonment in three different categories as follows: 42(50.6%),18(21.7%) and 23 (27.7%) of the respondents reported psychological, social and economic interconnectedreasons respectively. Psychological impacts of imprisonment as tracks: 68(81.9%), 59(71.1%) of therespondents reported diminished sense of self-worth, personal value due to imprisonment and Self-harm anddrug abuse are the result of long periods of time spent in the prison correspondingly. It is vital and utmostnecessary to identify the level of psychological impact and alleviate the fear and other associated symptomsand arrange for counselling to provide positive metal health.