Juvenile Criminality as A Consequence of Unsustainable Food Systems in Eswatini

Abstract

This research investigated the intersection of food security and juvenile justice, examining how unsustainable food systems in Eswatini drive juvenile criminality. Utilising a qualitative research approach, the phenomenology design, data were collected through focus group discussions with 30 juveniles currently incarcerated at His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS)’s Juvenile Facility. This approach allowed for a deep exploration of the lived experiences of justice-involved youth and the socio-economic pressures preceding their offenses. The findings revealed that traditional punitive measures fail to address systemic stressors specifically chronic malnutrition and household instability that push minors toward survival-based crimes. Narratives from the participants highlight a direct correlation between the collapse of subsistence livelihoods and the onset of delinquent behavior. The study concludes that juvenile criminality in Eswatini is inextricably linked to unsustainable food systems; a heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture and high vulnerability to climate shocks create a volatile environment for the nearly 50% of the population under age 20. The current system fails to provide ecological justice, leading to social isolation and a diminished sense of belonging, known precursors to delinquency. The implications of this study suggest that juvenile justice reform in Eswatini must move beyond individual rehabilitation to include systemic food policy interventions. Addressing youth recidivism requires integrating sustainable agricultural support and nutritional security into social welfare frameworks. By fostering ecological justice, the state can mitigate the structural triggers of crime, ultimately promoting long-term social stability and youth reintegration.