This book presents a rare ethnographic account of the experiences of young people within Ghana's custodial and correctional institutions. From an actor-oriented perspective and grounded in fieldwork and interviews, it uncovers how juvenile and young offenders navigate and resist the corrective intentions of these centres. While such institutions formally promote rehabilitation through structured programmes, the book highlights a disconnect between these aims and confinement realities. It calls for a rethinking of both theory and practice to better reflect the lived experiences of incarcerated youth.
An essential read for scholars of juvenile justice, criminology, and confinement ethnography, particularly in African and Global South contexts.