How can we resocialize adolescents in rehabilitation schools in Malaysia? Islamic education and programs as an alternative approach

Abstract

Resocialization is an important process for a juvenile, and it can be achieved through various means, one of which is religion. This article solely focuses on the resocialization of juveniles through the implementation of a religious approach. A case study design was used involving two rehabilitation schools housing male and female juveniles who have broken the law and whose ages range from 10 to 18. Two schools, each housing a different gender, were chosen to provide a more detailed understanding of the resocialization process. A total of 10 teachers and 15 juveniles were selected as respondents through the purposive sampling technique. This technique allows the selection of appropriate individuals based on the scope of the study. Data was gathered through in-depth interviews with all respondents. To support the interview data, observations at the research sites were also carried out. The findings revealed that the implementation of Islamic education and programs helps the resocialization process of juveniles in rehabilitation schools. On this basis, more attention should be paid to improving the quality of Islamic education and programs so that juvenile resocialization efforts continue to yield positive results. The resocialization process takes a long time, but it is worthwhile for it to continue to be implemented in an effort to change delinquent behavior.