Correctional officers’ perceptions of resilience of at-risk youth in a correctional centre in Eswatini

Abstract

This study aimed to explore and describe correctional officers’ perceptions of resilience of at-risk youth in a correctional centre in Eswatini. Applying a qualitative explorative-descriptive research design, we conducted a World Café with 15 purposively sampled correctional officers at an Eswatini juvenile correctional centre (female = 40%) on their perceptions of resilience among juveniles under rehabilitative care, inclusive of manifestations, risk and protective factors, and support. Thematic analysis of the data suggests the correctional officers to perceive an interplay of resilience factors at the individual, family, corrections, and community levels as important for holistic rehabilitative care of the juveniles. This perception of contextual interplay is inclusive of protective and supportive factors for resilience, such as individual perseverance and hope, good family support, correctional officers’ attitude, and community reconciliation. Implementation of resilience nurturing programmes for youth in correctional centres would enhance their rehabilitation care outcomes.

Keywords:

• at-risk youth
• correctional officers
• resilience
• Eswatini
• World Café