PDRC releases juvenile centre visit report

Manama, June 1(BNA): The Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission (PDRC) today released its report on its unannounced three-day visit to the Juvenile Detention Centre on January (18-20). The report is part of the PDRC-led efforts to disseminate and consolidate human rights relating to visits to prisons and detention centres. The report is also pursuant to the PDRC powers and prerogatives as stipulated in decree (61) for 2013. The PDRC members inspected the facility, the inmates' health and living conditions as well as the guarantees and rights provided for them as per the PDRC principles, criteria and indices. The delegation met twenty juveniles who were present at the time at the centre which has the capacity to accommodate seventy juveniles. The team also met the staff which comprised 107 employees, including civil and military personnel, teachers, supervisors, administrators, women police officers. The administrative procedures enforced at the centre were also inspected, including documents and records. The PDRC statement said that the visit centered on three focal points –human treatment and the condition of the facility, rights and guarantees, and healthcare. The PDRC outlined the following remarks and issued recommendations which will contribute to consolidating respect of human rights and ensuring commitment. These include particularly: Coordination between the Ministry of Health and the Juvenile Detention Centre to ensure required healthcare. Coordination between the Ministry of Education and the centre to teach the juveniles. Installation of surveillance cameras at all buildings and corridors, in accordance with the international standards. Hold specialised courses that focus on children's psychology and ways of dealing with juveniles, without restricting the procedures to guides. Set regulations for visits, taking into account the appropriate time for the juveniles' families and ensuring them the necessary privacy. Engaging the juvenile's parent in the rehabilitation plan. Diversification of skill-based activities and purposeful programmes during the day, outside study timings. The integral report is available in Arab and English on the PDRC website.