Schools should accept reformed juvenile felons: Majlis

Dubai - Public and private schools should accept juvenile offenders after they leave correctional institutions, a Ramadan majlis in Dubai has heard.
Moza Al Shoumi, Director of Child Department at the Ministry of Social Affairs, called for activating the role of social workers in integrating offenders back to society. She also called for implementing an article of the law that governs offences committed by juveniles, which mandates the provision of probation and training for juvenile offenders. A comprehensive study is needed to understand the social causes of delinquency, she said.
Al Shoumi explained that in the past there were no laws under which families could be penalised for failure to receive juveniles after they are released from juvenile care homes. "There is a large number of guardians who don't receive their wards at the end of their sentence. Now there is a law that stipulates that guardians have to receive their wards," she said.
Mariam Salem, Director of Social Education Centre for Girls in Sharjah, said the centre, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Social Affairs, provides female juvenile offenders with shelter and livelihood.
Najla Ali Saleh, a social worker at the Ministry of Interior, said the ministry introduced a Family Unit to coordinate and open channels of dialogue between juvenile offenders and their families. "It was noted that there was a large gap between the two sides. This gap is one of the biggest challenges for the Ministry of Interior," she said.
Marwa Al Shehi, a psychologist, explained that the Juvenile Welfare Centre provides 'integrated services' for juvenile offenders, offering them medical, psychological, religious and social support.
amira@khaleejtimes.com