Children of the corn A study conducted at juvenile prison in Karachi - overview I

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted in Juvenile Prison of Karachi where children and adolescents are kept in custody on account of various charges. 200 children were interviewed in the initial stage with the help of a questionnaire aiming at getting demographic information, reviewing social milieu, examining crime circumstances, custody details, biological profile, psychiatric assessment and the prognostic prediction. The preliminary results indicate that 78.6% were subjected to severe torture during investigation, 17.4% were subjected to torture while in custody, besides being deprived from other basic rights, emotional and psychological support. Majority of these children were the victims of social disorganization, poverty, lack of opportunities, faulty role model, and evil influence of political scenario. The psychological consequences of the circumstances leading to incarceration and the agony of the non-conducive custody environment are manifested in depression, anxiety, neurosis, psychosis, seizure disorder along with physical ailments. 52% of these children needed psychotherapeutic intervention while 17% were in need of psychotropic medication in addition to psychotherapy. 9% of these children had psychopathic traits in their personality and there remain chances that they would form potential group of criminals unless corrective rehabilitative measures are taken. It is concluded that preventive measures should be taken at primary, secondary and tertian levels to avoid psychiatric morbidity and to prevent these children from becoming potential criminals