Minister Ihusan has stated there are plans to dedicate an island to rehabilitating juvenile delinquents where programs will be run for the purpose. These children will serve in MNDF or Police once 18 and proceed their own path afterwards.
Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan has declared that plans are being formed to take juvenile delinquents to a dedicated island with long-term rehabilitation programs in order to rehabilitate them.
Speaking at a press briefing held by the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology today, Ihusan stated that they have planned to allocate an island to rehabilitate juvenile delinquents and reintegrate them back into the society through programs run together with Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), Maldives Police Force (MPS) and concerned Ministries for the purpose of reforming them.
He elaborated that religious education, formal education, sports education and psychosocial intervention activities will also be offered through the program.
"The result of this is juvenile delinquents being given a good environment and a new hope being instilled into their life," said the Minister.
He stated that the island which will house these children is set to be named 'Hope Island'.
After accommodating these children until they turn 18 years of age, Ihusan revealed that they will formally be instated into MNDF and Police posts. He stated that after serving the country for a set amount of time, evaluations will be made and the children will be given the opportunity to advance in the career path of their choice.
"Programs to teach these children skills, education and upbringing will be proceeded. After serving the country, they will have the opportunity to progress in whichever field they want," said Ihusan.
He assured that these program will be proceeded after receiving the necessary legal power.
He maintained that in order to refine the justice system of children, the current age of criminal responsibility is decided to be lowered from 15 years to 12 years for the purpose of obtaining the legal power required to advance such programs.
"The purpose of this is not to confine young children in jail," he assured.
"Once the age [of criminal responsibility] is lowered, the power to advance rehabilitation programs essential for these children will be obtained."
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