The delay in establishing a juvenile detention center has raised concerns about the lack of specialized facilities for underage detainees, potentially compromising their rights and rehabilitation. Despite legislation requiring a separate detention area for minors, they remain in adult prisons, risking harmful exposure and contravening best practices for juvenile detention. The House human rights committee, along with mental health professionals and children’s advocates, has voiced their concerns, emphasizing the need for dedicated facilities that address the unique needs of underage individuals in the justice system. The children’s rights commissioner has taken action by submitting a memorandum and announcing an impending visit to gather more information on the treatment of minors in central prisons. The House committee has scheduled a visit to assess the conditions firsthand, ensuring transparency and accountability. Temporary measures are in place within the adult prison system, but the long-term goal is to establish a dedicated juvenile detention center to prevent contact with adult inmates and provide appropriate care and guidance for successful reintegration into society.
Why are there concerns about delays in establishing a juvenile detention center?
Concerns about the delay in establishing a juvenile detention center are due to the lack of specialized facilities for underage detainees, potentially compromising their rights and rehabilitation. Despite legislation requiring a separate detention area for minors, they remain in adult prisons, risking harmful exposure and contravening best practices for juvenile detention.
Concerns Voiced by Human Rights Committee
On Monday, the House human rights committee expressed its apprehension regarding the government’s procrastination in setting up a specialized center for juvenile detainees. Despite legislation being passed three years prior, the establishment of this facility remains pending, much to the concern of not only the MPs but also mental health professionals and children’s advocates. These concerns underscore the importance of dedicated facilities that address the unique needs of underage individuals in the justice system.
Mental health experts, alongside the children’s rights commissioner, Despo Michaelidou, and legal service representatives, have echoed similar worries. They have been closely monitoring the preparation and execution of support and reform programs intended for these young detainees. The slow progress has raised red flags about the government’s commitment to upholding juvenile rights and ensuring their rehabilitation.
Commissioner’s Actions and Legislative Requirements
Despo Michaelidou, in her role as the children’s rights commissioner, took a proactive stance by submitting a memorandum concerning the detention conditions of a minor and two young adults currently held in central prisons. Her dissatisfaction with the responses about support programs led her to announce an impending visit to the central prisons to gather more detailed information on the treatment of minors there.
In response to the situation, the House committee scheduled a visit to the prison on January 15, 2024. Irene Charalambides, head of the committee, announced the plan to meet with the minors to assess their conditions firsthand. This visit is a critical step in ensuring transparency and accountability regarding the treatment and rehabilitation of juvenile detainees.
Temporary Measures and Future Plans
Aristos Tsiartas, who is at the helm of the department of human rights, anti-criminal and penal policy at the justice ministry, clarified current arrangements for young detainees. He mentioned that a designated area within the central prisons caters primarily to young adults aged 18-21. Should the need arise, this space could be temporarily adapted for minors aged 16-18. However, this is a stopgap measure and not in line with the long-term legislative vision.
The law stipulates that the detention of minors should take place outside the adult prison system to prevent contact with adult inmates. Despite this, due to the delay in constructing a dedicated juvenile facility, these young individuals are still being placed in segregated areas within adult prisons. This arrangement is far from ideal, as it may lead to harmful exposure and does not conform to the best practices for juvenile detention.
Policy Agreement and Anticipated Developments
While the children’s rights commissioner agrees with the policy of keeping minors separate from the adult prison population, she emphasizes that this should not lead to complacency or further postponements in establishing the specialized juvenile detention area as provided by the law. The government needs to prioritize this initiative to ensure that the rights and rehabilitation needs of juvenile detainees are adequately met.
Looking ahead, the location for the new center is to be decided, with Nicosia and Larnaca being the potential sites. The completion of this center will play a vital role in the reformation and support of underage individuals in conflict with the law, allowing them to receive appropriate care and guidance, which is crucial for their successful reintegration into society.
FAQ
1. Why are there concerns about delays in establishing a juvenile detention center?
Concerns about the delay in establishing a juvenile detention center are due to the lack of specialized facilities for underage detainees, potentially compromising their rights and rehabilitation. Despite legislation requiring a separate detention area for minors, they remain in adult prisons, risking harmful exposure and contravening best practices for juvenile detention.
2. What actions have been taken by the children’s rights commissioner?
The children’s rights commissioner, Despo Michaelidou, has taken action by submitting a memorandum concerning the detention conditions of a minor and two young adults held in central prisons. She has also announced an impending visit to gather more detailed information on the treatment of minors in central prisons.
3. What temporary measures are in place for young detainees?
Temporary measures are in place within the adult prison system to accommodate young detainees. A designated area within the central prisons caters primarily to young adults aged 18-21. If necessary, this space can be temporarily adapted for minors aged 16-18. However, this is a stopgap measure and not in line with the long-term legislative vision.
4. What are the anticipated developments for establishing a dedicated juvenile detention center?
The location for the new dedicated juvenile detention center is yet to be decided, with Nicosia and Larnaca being potential sites. The completion of this center will play a vital role in the reformation and support of underage individuals in conflict with the law, allowing them to receive appropriate care and guidance for successful reintegration into society.
