Social Workers and the Management of Juvenile Delinquency in Calabar, Cross River State

Juvenile delinquency poses significant social welfare and justice system challenges in Nigerian urban environments, necessitating coordinated social work responses that prioritise rehabilitation over punitive measures. This study examines the role of social workers in managing juvenile delinquency in Calabar, Cross River State, with particular focus on interventions at the remand home and youth correctional facilities in the city. A descriptive survey design is employed, with 95 respondents including juvenile offenders, social workers, and correctional officers surveyed using structured questionnaires. Frequencies, percentages, and chi-square statistics are used in analysis. Findings indicate that social workers engage in case assessment, family reunification, diversion programming, and post-release follow-up for juvenile offenders. However, the available social work workforce is critically insufficient given the volume of cases referred by courts. Many juvenile offenders are found to come from backgrounds marked by poverty, family breakdown, and school exclusion, reinforcing the need for preventive social work in high-risk communities. Recommendations include increasing the number of social workers specialised in juvenile justice, developing community-based diversion programmes as alternatives to institutionalisation, and integrating mental health screening into case assessment protocols. Keywords: juvenile delinquency, social work, correctional services, Calabar, diversion programme