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Dubai opens centre to support, rehabilitate juvenile delinquents

With a capacity to accommodate 48 juveniles, the facility is divided between boys and girls and includes housing, dining halls, gym, mosque

A centre which seeks to create a secure and nurturing environment for the rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents was opened on Thursday by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

‘Soun centre for care and rehabilitation’ is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for rehabilitating juvenile delinquents and guiding them toward positive life changes.

The centre offers specialised support for different categories of juvenile delinquents, including those awaiting trial or at risk of delinquency, as directed by judicial, parliamentary, or police authorities.

With a capacity to accommodate 48 juveniles, divided between boys and girls, the facility includes dedicated housing, rehabilitation areas, a mosque, dining halls, playgrounds, gyms, a clinic, classrooms, a courtroom, multi-purpose halls, and administrative offices.

Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, director general of the CDA, said that creating a safe environment for court-sentenced juveniles is essential for their rehabilitation. This approach fosters personal growth, supports positive reintegration into society, discourages harmful behaviours, and opens pathways to new opportunities.

“The launch of the ‘Soun centre for care and rehabilitation’ reflects the leadership's commitment to ensuring comprehensive support for vulnerable groups. The centre promotes closer collaboration among agencies responsible for judicial and administrative measures for juveniles and provides various holistic rehabilitation programmes.

"These programmes, including individual and group sessions along with social, sports, artistic, and religious activities, are crafted to facilitate the positive reintegration of juveniles and help reduce repeat offences,” Buhumaid said.

Established by the Community Development Authority (CDA), the centre's opening aligns with the goals of the Dubai Social Agenda 33, particularly in establishing a proactive and highly effective social system for protection, care, and empowerment.

The centre strengthens cooperation among key agencies involved in juvenile justice, including the Family and Juvenile Prosecution, Dubai Police, and Dubai Courts. By partnering with organizations like the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai Health, Ministry of Education, Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai Municipality, Dar Al Ber Society, and ENOC Group, the Centre offers rehabilitation programs to help youth transform and reintegrate into society.

The Care and Rehabilitation Department at the Centre is committed to supporting convicted juvenile delinquents through social and psychological assistance, along with behaviour development, to ensure a successful reintegration after their release. This department is overseen by qualified specialists, including psychological and educational experts, social supervisors, and sports trainers. Additionally, the Centre houses a Prevention and Community Coordination Department that focuses on raising awareness in the community to prevent delinquency among youth in Dubai.

In addition to its rehabilitation programmes led by the CDA, the Centre is dedicated to advancing preventive initiatives. These include educational workshops, awareness campaigns, and comprehensive social and statistical studies that examine factors contributing to juvenile delinquency. By analysing variables like crime hotspots, age groups, offense types, and gender, these studies aim to inform and design targeted programmes to effectively prevent juvenile crime in Dubai.

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