Background The relationship between psychopathology and quality of life (QoL) and well‐being among young incarcerated offenders has hardly been explored. Aims Our aim was to test the hypothesis that higher self‐rated psychopathology would be associated with lower QoL among adolescents resident within youth correctional facilities in Lagos. Methods Psychopathology was assessed using the Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire (SDQ), while QoL was measured by using the Paediatric Quality of Life. Results One hundred and sixty‐five adolescents completed the study, mostly boys (n = 124; 75%) with a mean age of 14.3 ± 2.1 years. Nearly, a fifth (30, 18%) of respondents had abnormal total SDQ scores (≥17), suggestive of definite psychiatric disorder, while another 44 (27%) had highly probable psychopathology (total SDQ scores 15–16). There was strong negative correlation (r = −0.51, p < 0.001) between total SDQ scores and overall self‐reported QoL among respondents. Conclusions and implications for practice Although we were unable to infer direction of relationship between psychopathology and QoL among these adolescents, it is plausible to suppose that treatment of mental health problems could have a positive impact on rehabilitation and reintegration. Given the rate of likely psychopathology, mental health screening within young offender institutions should be routine, and followed, as necessary with full assessment and resultant treatment. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.