UPDATED: Children 'still being sent to prison'

Joanne Micallef

Aug 1st 2008, 14:34

I agree, if we really want to invest in the future of our society a juvenile facility is a must. With the proper intervention many of the youths will be able to turn their life around.

Philip Paris

Aug 1st 2008, 14:21

In Canada we have a system called the Young Offenders Act.
Youth who commit crimes are treated differently than adults.
It has failed miserably! Youth crime is out of control, stealing, guns, drugs and murders.
If you do something wrong you pay the price. Teens included.

Keith Chircop

Aug 1st 2008, 13:25

If Malta were to enter the 20th Century it would be a good start.

M Vella

Aug 1st 2008, 12:20

Correct me if I am wrong, there is already a juvenile facility that is secluded from the rest of the prison.

But this is not the way to go! What do we want - to reform these young people or to instil in them the sense of belonging to this group? One must not forget that juvenile offenders have already been emarginated by society (and if not, they will be now that they went to prison)and thus, helping them to feel part of a group will attract them and contribute to their negative behaviour. The wrong doing here, is that the authorities are leading these children to be part of the WRONG GROUP! What about building up a community-like environment like in the cases of drug abusers. The more they give their part in the community, the more they will be allowed to go back to society and help the community e.g. in local councils. Parallel with this help, the family surrounding the 'offender' will be also given help so that the vicious circle somewhere is broken!

If we continue handing jail sentences left, right and centre without honestly trying to give a helping hand, history will repeat itself!

R. A. Cilia

Aug 1st 2008, 11:45

@ Agatha Mallia

contrary to the impression being given, there already exists a juvenile section at corradino, called Y.O.U.R.S. which, from what i've heard from several professionals who have worked there in one way or another, sees to the residents' needs to the letter.

rather than the fact that a 13-year-old has been convicted to serve a prison sentence, i find the issue that this individual, at such a tender age has, with full awareness that renders him culpable, broken the law so seriously as to be fitting of this sentence, more alarming. one cannot but ask, "what are the factors that led up to him/her doing this? where has society erred...?"

that said, it is important to point out that, while a youth section in prison has been setup for a quite some time now, up to this day, a drug rehabilitation centre proper (along the lines of San Blas etc.) for users under 16, has not, this being to the detriment to many adolescents and early teens who would benefit from such a facility.

Paul Sultana

Aug 1st 2008, 11:42

I’m really sorry but I don’t agree with the NGO. I believe that being in such horrible place will only teach these young kids not to do what they did again. Sending them in a "Juvenile facility"/hotel is not an option. And by the way, does the NGO know what offence this 13 year old commit? I don’t think he just broke a window while playing football.

Buhagiar Frans

Aug 1st 2008, 11:31

Children are griwing up and they have the right to make mistakes. It is our duty as adults to correct them and not to punish them
Frans Buhagiar
Safi

Liam Kelly

Aug 1st 2008, 11:13

Whats the point in punishment at all then if we are just going to chicken out and pander to the criminals at every opportunity.

Agatha Mallia

Aug 1st 2008, 10:33

Malta should pull itself into the 21st century and open a juvenile facility. Under age offenders should be punished but sending them to an adult prison shouldn't even be an option.