The juvenile courts should be reformed to deal with the current situation better, according to a consultation document on a new national youth policy.

Launched by Youth Parliamentary Secretary Chris Agius, the consultation document calls on stakeholders to weigh in on possible improvements to the youth justice system.

Maltese juveniles that appear in court are, on average, 15-years-old and most likely to have committed an offence in their locality. They are most often given a probation order.

The document notes that the number of cases in the juvenile court has steadily increased from 49 cases in 2006 to 110 in 2011. 

Although the document puts does not make suggestions to improve the system, it says any debate on the issue should keep in mind that young offenders are more likely to come from disadvantaged areas.

Mr Agius said the first national youth policy was drafted 20 years ago and changes needed to be made to reflect contemporary society.

The document will go through a six-month public consultation period before a final draft will set policies, set to run until 2020.

Drafted by a new national policy advisory committee, the document also puts forward suggestions to help support new businesses run by youths.

On integration, the report suggests initiatives to help better integrate migrants in schools and the community.

The document can be read in the pdf link below.