by NAJIAH NAJIB, Malay Mail, Dec 7.
JUVENILE delinquents need to be separated from hard-core criminals while being detained in prisons to ensure that they are not influenced by the ‘bigger baddies’ and become repeat offenders when released.
Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said mixing juveniles with hard-core criminals could harm the youngsters in the long run.
He said due to lack of space in rehabilitation centres, the Government needs to seek other alternatives for juveniles to be detained while waiting for their case to be heard in court.
“If they can’t be placed in rehab centres, the Government should consider placing them in various homes under strict supervision.
“More funds need to be allocated to ensure that juveniles receive the rehabilitation they need. They have a right to it,” he said, adding that the authorities need to be reminded regularly as the problem isn’t new.
He was commenting on claims by Seputeh MP Teresa Kok that juveniles were being sent to prisons because of space shortage in rehab centres.
In the report by an English daily yesterday, Kok had urged the Internal Security Ministry to stop placing juveniles in prisons as it could create an opportunity for them to ‘graduate’ as hard-core criminals.
She had claimed that there were about 550 juveniles in Sungai Buloh while another 450 were in Kajang prison.
Responding to the statement, Women’s Aid Organisation executive director Ivy Josiah yesterday claimed that although juveniles are placed in separate lock-ups from hard-core criminals in prison, there is still interaction between them in the day or during meals.
“Based on my experience during prison visits, I noticed mingling between the two groups.
“I also noticed the counselling given to juveniles was inconsistent. The education and psycho-social services provided for juveniles in prisons are limited,” she said.
She said apart from ensuring that the youngsters are allocated separate areas from serious criminals, the Government should consider getting independent groups to help them in developing a more extensive holistic programme.
Josiah said the focus on speeding up juvenile cases in court should be a top priority, as the youngsters shouldn’t be detained longer than necessary.