Filenews 31 March 2022 - by Michalis Hadjivasilis
The way was opened for the establishment of juvenile prisons after yesterday's approval by the Council of Ministers of a proposal by the Minister of Justice along with a relevant fund.
After the green light from the Ministry, according to information provided by "F", the Ministry of Justice will proceed immediately to the announcement of tenders in order to find the appropriate structure for the children to be included there, when they are convicted by the Juvenile Court. The cost of the juvenile detention facility is estimated to cost around €800,000 for one year of operation. The structure should not be reminiscent of prisons but will be an edifice without barbed wire and guards. The design that has been made foresees the creation of modern facilities that will follow the European standards both in the matter of building facilities, but also in the matter of logistical supplies and the way of operation. The aim is to create a friendly environment, which will provide the guarantees for the safety of children who will be subject to the ultimate measure of detention, but also to create the conditions for the provision of support to these children.
Today, children aged 16-18 are sentenced to prison are sent to prison, since there is no other place of detention. Although they are separated from the adults, the space is not considered suitable for their age. The facility will accommodate about ten minors sentenced to prison for serious offences and will be operated by the body that wins the offer.
The place of detention of minors is provided for by the new legislation passed by the Parliament last year. As the Minister of Justice Stefi Drakou had stated in "F", this legislation establishes structures and introduces new institutions and procedures that allow the different treatment of children from adult offenders and make the justice system child-friendly, with the ultimate goal of preventing and combating juvenile delinquency. As far as the issue of the detention structure is concerned, the Minister points out, the planning that has been made foresees the creation of modern facilities that will follow the European standards both in building facilities, but also in logistical facilities and mode of operation. Our goal is to create a friendly environment, which will provide guarantees for the safety of children who will be subject to the ultimate measure of detention, but also to create conditions for the provision of any form of support to these children. The ultimate goal is to be able to get the structures out stronger, more resilient if you will, so that by reintegrating them into society they have the resistances that will keep them away from any further aberrations.
