Regulations for juvenile detention centres published

Regulations governing juvenile correctional centers have been published under the Juvenile Justice Act.

These rules outline the operation and structure of facilities that house children who require isolation and rehabilitation.

The regulations were released by the Maldives Correctional Service and aim to ensure that the rights, safety, and well-being of children in such centers are protected.

The regulations classify juvenile centers into two types. The first is a Juvenile Detention Centre, meant for children who are not considered dangerous but are required by court order to be detained for a specified period.

The second type is a Long-term Secure Facility, which is intended for children who have been ordered to be detained for longer periods due to the nature of their offenses. Both types of facilities must be designed specifically for children and must be completely separate from adult detention centers.

The regulations also lay out the responsibilities of these centers in ensuring the safety and security of the children, maintaining their general welfare, monitoring their behavior, and enforcing rules within the facility. Centers are also obligated to provide basic services such as food, healthcare, clothing, and education.

They must respect and protect the human rights of all children in their care. Additionally, programs should be designed and implemented to support the children’s reintegration into society. The regulations mandate that families be informed when a child is taken to a center and that family meetings be facilitated.

A special unit must be established within each center to oversee child care, and the regulations include guidelines for transporting children to and from the facilities.

Detailed provisions are made for managing the centers, including maintaining the facilities and overseeing staff.

The overarching aim of the Juvenile Justice Act is to shield children from the harmful impacts of the adult criminal justice system while ensuring that they are held accountable for their actions in a manner appropriate for their age.

The Act currently sets the age of criminal responsibility at 15. However, due to a rise in criminal activities involving children under that age often manipulated by adult-led groups, the age of criminal responsibility has been lowered to 12.