What Waiting Looks Like Inside Bahay Pag-Asa: Effects of Delayed Court Proceedings on the Psychosocial Development of Children in Conflict with the Law Confined in Bahay Pag-Asa in National Capital Region

Delays in court proceedings that result in delayed justice delivery are inevitable realities that are influenced by various factors, including jurisdiction size, docket management, case classification, calendaring, and court practices. The COVID-19 pandemic crisis further compounds the impact of delays on court processes, leading to increased dockets and hearing resets. Therefore, the study aims to assess the effects of delayed court proceedings on the psychosocial development of CICL.<br><br>A qualitative design and phenomenological approach are employed to explore the experiences and perspectives of the primary participants and key informants to shed light on the outcome of delays. The psychosocial development comprises three domains and the study examined whether delays have an impact on the decision-making ability of CICL; whether behavioral changes occur when continuances prolong the legal process; and analyzed the potential alteration in the confidence of CICL regarding their rehabilitation following a delay. Whereas the results show that delays have no direct influence on the resistance or susceptibility of CICL to peer influence, it is found to be a contributing factor to establishing CICL's identity in their present social context in Bahay Pag-asa. Delays also affect their behavior, potentially leading to impulsivity, aggression, and negative responses to the family court or justice system. Furthermore, delays can trigger psychological distress and depression, challenging CICL’s perception of their rehabilitation and shaping their coping mechanisms.<br><br>The research presents a comprehensive definition of delay derived from the perspectives of the participants, encompassing both technical and pragmatic descriptions. According to this composite definition, ‘A delay refers to the postponement, cancellation, and resetting of court proceedings, which is inadvertent in manner and is deemed unjustifiable by the CICL. Delays are granted from either meritorious grounds or unwarranted factors associated with both old and conventional court practices, as well as an unprecedented social phenomenon.’