The Effectiveness of the Child Act of 2009 Towards Modifying Behaviour of Children Conflicting the Law: The Case of Children in the Custody of Prison in Dar es Salaam

Makwai, Aziza Issa (2016) The Effectiveness of the Child Act of 2009 Towards Modifying Behaviour of Children Conflicting the Law: The Case of Children in the Custody of Prison in Dar es Salaam. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

Children who break the law are influenced by external factors than their own free will and are the results of restricted opportunities available for their development. Such opportunities become more confined once they enter the criminal justice. Main objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of Child Act of 2009 towards modifying behaviour of children conflicting the law, “the case of Children in the Custody of Prison, Dar es Salaam”. The study further identified the effectiveness of the Act in modifying children behaviour; and how it has been helpful in slowing down crimes. This study used integrated approaches to assess the effectiveness of the Law and it employed structured questionnaires and interview as primary methods of data collection. A sample of 86 respondents was taken to give information suitable for this study. Data collected were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed using SPSS 16 and Nvivo software respectively. According to the study, the law has been effective by influencing establishment of juvenile Court, approved school and caring Centers. As per this study, most of juvenile offenders involved in crimes aging from 13 years, completed primary school education and others dropped out from school. Most common crimes committed by juvenile, according to this research are theft, stealing, murder and robbery in gangs (like panya road group evidenced 2015). The fact, lack of awareness about the Law cited as the major challenge in implementing the Law; the study recommends provision of outreach programme by governmentand other stakeholders enlightening about the Child Act and other matters relating to children affairs.

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