Unlocking Bright Futures: Empowering Children in Conflict with the Law through Community Led Rehabilitation and Reintegration

Sandra Lynn Gatayen, University of Makati

This case study examined the social reintegration outcomes and personal information of five children in conflict with the law (CICL) from the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth-Cordillera Administrative Region during their transition to community life. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation in facilitating behavioral change and to identify the barriers encountered during the reintegration process, contributing to the broader understanding of juvenile outcomes in the Philippines. This qualitative case study employed a phenomenological approach to trace the trajectories of five male CICL participants and their experiences following rehabilitation. The study utilized in-depth interviews, document analysis of rehabilitation records, and follow-up assessments conducted post-release to gather comprehensive data on each participant’s journey. The five participants demonstrated significant personal transformation during their rehabilitation tenure, with most showing substantial behavioral improvements after 1-3 years of center commitment. Analysis revealed that multiple socio-economic and familial factors- including poverty, family, dysfunction, peer influence, and personal conflicts—were critical contributors to their initial criminal engagement. While the rehabilitation program demonstrated proven effectiveness in facilitating personal transformation, the moderate success of community reintegration underscores the necessity for comprehensive, multi-level intervention strategies. Recommendations of the study focused on socio-economic programs strengthening families’ wellness and moral guidance over their children. Community based facilities and programs catering to youth development and juvenile delinquency prevention was also insufficient. This entails a more active participation of the LGUs-Local Government Units as legal guardians of the community. Most importantly, reintegration programs on all levels need to ensure the inclusion of families of the victims as mandated by law. Keywords: children in conflict with the law (CICL), case study, community reintegration, juvenile rehabilitation, social stigma, personal transformation, family involvement, juvenile justice.

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 Presented in Session 176. Constructing and Responding to Crime