Abstract

Introduction: A minor is defined as any person under the age of 18 years according to article 67 of the Guinean Penal Code. The minor age is a vulnerable period of sensitive transition where the emerging life choices will have a lasting influence on the future adult. Our objective was to describe the socio-demographic profile of minors in Guinea's prisons. 

Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study on children aged 12 to 17 detained in prisons in the Republic of Guinea from 15 January to 14 June 2016. 

Results: The number of minors was 132 and they are almost exclusively male. The average age was 15.8 years ± 1.45 with extremities from 12 to 17 years. The majority of minors, 93.93%, were defendants followed by convicts with 6.07%. The reasons for detention were theft in 64.39% followed by rape in 14.39% and assault and battery in 10.6%. 

Conclusion: The juvenile prison population is a reality in Guinea. Particular attention must be paid to juvenile justice and the living conditions of juvenile detainees, if it is true that one of the prison's responsibilities is to educate and reintegrate.

Keywords: Minors; Republic of Guinea; Remand Prison

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