“They Must Face the Consequences”: Perspectives on Punishment in the Juvenile Justice System in India

• In Event: Public Opinion, Youth, and Juvenile Justice

Abstract

The juvenile justice policy in India took a penal turn following an amendment in 2015. The amendment allowed the treatment of youth who commit heinous offenses as adults. While the intended target of the policy change was youth in the age group 16-18 years, its impact was far-reaching. This proposed study aims to capture the perspectives on punishment among judicial service providers. To this end, interviews were conducted with members of the juvenile justice board working in 13 cities in India. The in-person interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using directed content analysis. Findings reveal a dual perspective among judicial service providers; on one hand, they believe youth deserve the opportunity for rehabilitation and reintegration, yet they also support punishment for their actions. The study also highlights that this dual perspective is not just for youth in the age group 16-18 years, but its effects extend beyond its intended targets, shaping broader legal and social discourse.

Authors

• Additti Munshi, The Ohio State University

• Melissa LaCraze, Ohio State University