Abstract:
For the purpose of this research Young offenders are persons under the age of eighteen but above
nine who are involved in criminal offences. Unlike adult offenders, they are required to be
treated in special and separate procedures owing to their immaturity to take criminal
responsibility and for being vulnerable social groups to defend themselves. Both national laws
such as FDRE constitution, FDRE criminal code, CPC, SNNPR constitution, etc and
international laws like CRC, ICCPR and other international standards have incorporated the
same notion where persons under the same classes are required to be treated in special way. The
purpose of juvenile justice is to hold young people accountable by imposing measures that have
meaningful consequences for them and that promote their rehabilitation and reintegration into
society, thereby contributing to the long-term protection of the public. Therefore, persons who
involve in the notion of juvenile cases should have the knowhow about the purpose of juvenile
justice system. When young offenders are involved in criminal acts they shall be taken
immediately to the nearest court who shall direct the issue of commencement of investigation
and framing of charge on them. Having considered the immature mind set up of juveniles
alternative measures are advisable and imposition of penalty should be taken as the last resort if
the alternative measures are not effective and it shall be enforced in strict segregation from adult
offenders. The researcher assessed the determination and enforcement of measures and penalties
in kafa zone through questionnaires, interviews, field observation and document analysis.
Judges, public prosecutors, investigating police officers, administrators of Bonga correction
center and young offenders in the correction center are participated as respondents in data
collection. Data collected from the study area shows that there is clear violation of laws dealing
with juvenile justice by persons involved in the cases of young offenders. While the law requires
the authorization of court to begin investigation and to frame charge on young offenders, most
cases are conducted without this authorization. The requirement of law to try cases of young
offenders in separate trial and separate accommodation is not strictly obeyed. Both in police
stations and in correction center, young offenders are imprisoned with adult offenders due to the
absence of separate accommodation. Alternative measures are also not taken as a primary option.
Therefore, the researcher has suggested the corrective measures to be taken to tackle the
problems through awareness creation programs for justice actors and effective implementation of
laws and standards to make rehabilitation of young offenders sound and achieving its goal.
