PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

 

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Home / Regular Issue / JSSH Vol. 33 (2) Apr. 2025 / JSSH-9050-2024

 

Breaking the School-to-Jail Pipeline in Malaysia: Challenges in Leading a Horse to Water and Drink for Itself

Ahmad Thamrini Fadzlin Syed Mohamed, Jowati Juhary and Erda Wati Bakar

Pertanika Journal of Social Science and Humanities, Volume 33, Issue 2, April 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.33.2.10

Keywords: Challenges in rehabilitation, correctional institution, delinquency, ethnography, Henry Gurney School, incarcerated youth education, school-to-prison pipeline

Published on: 2025-04-30

This study extensively examines the education of incarcerated youth at Henry Gurney School, aiming to comprehend prevalent challenges and propose forward-thinking improvements to the current system. While institutionalisation is recognised for its role in curbing misbehaviour, persistent concerns revolve around its potential to displace and reinforce disruptive behaviour among young convicts, posing enduring threats to social security. The research underscores critical issues by employing a comprehensive approach involving interviews, observation, and archival data analysis: A shortage of qualified personnel, collaboration between government and private sectors, and the importance of creating conducive spaces for education and vocational training. The study accentuates the urgent need for concerted efforts from various stakeholders to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline, thereby reducing recidivism among youth in Malaysia. The implications for theory and practice underscore the imperative for educational programs that nurture independent, self-motivated individuals striving for personal improvement.

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