The Fondazzjoni Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl has called on the authorities, including the Commissioner for Children, to do whatever was necessary for children not to be sent to prison.

In a statement it said that a 14-year-old boy was sent to prison a few days ago, after the magistrate denied the request for bail.

Prison, the foundation said, was no place for children and although society had to protect itself from whoever abused the law, prison was not the solution.

It pointed out that in prison these children were in continuous contact with older persons who were more experienced in crime and they would only be serving time. It would be much better if they were assisted to turn over a new leaf.