TITLE:
The Role of the Family in the Social Reintegration of Juveniles after Their Release from Custody in Burundi
AUTHORS:
Jean de Dieu Ntampera, Ildephonse Sindayigaya
KEYWORDS:
Child, Child Identity, Burundi, Child Offenders, Juvenile Justice, Custody, Social Reintegration, Family
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.14 No.7,
July
30,
2026
ABSTRACT: This work addresses the social reintegration of formerly incarcerated minors, highlighting social interaction as a means of forgetting the prison experience and facilitating reintegration. It underscores the importance of family in the socio-professional reintegration of released minors, with an emphasis on their financial and social support. Through qualitative methodology, realized via semi-structured interviews and life narratives conducted with the released children, their family members, and their social networks, the results of this study reveal the various practices undertaken by families to enhance the success of their children’s post-incarceration social reintegration. Furthermore, restorative justice is discussed as a means of reconciliation between victims and offenders, promoting conflict resolution and reducing distrust. Families are also involved in professional reintegration, vocational training, or the resumption of schooling, and in providing financial assistance to these children. Post-incarceration health is a critical issue, highlighting the necessity for appropriate health monitoring.