THE BHOPAL SCHOOL OF SOCIAL
SCIENCES
REPORT ON : visit of Juvenile Centre.
NAME: Tabassum shahnavaz
COURSE: BA psychology
DATE: 2, september,2024
Submitted to: Avisha Thomas
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INTRODUCTION
A Juvenile Center, often referred to as a Juvenile Detention
Center or Juvenile Correctional Facility, is a secure facility for
minors (typically under the age of 18) who are detained or
serving time due to legal infractions. These centers are
designed to house young people who have been arrested, are
awaiting court hearings, or have been sentenced for
committing crimes.
The main objectives of a Juvenile Center are:
1. **Detention:** To hold juveniles in a secure environment
where they can be monitored and controlled, particularly if
they are considered a flight risk or a danger to themselves or
others.
2. **Rehabilitation:** Many centers focus on rehabilitating
the youth rather than solely punishing them. Programs often
include education, vocational training, counseling, and
therapy aimed at addressing behavioral issues and preventing
future criminal activity.
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3. **Protection:** To provide a safe environment for minors
who may need protection from abuse, neglect, or dangerous
situations in their homes or communities.
4. **Legal Processing:** Juvenile Centers work in
coordination with the juvenile justice system, ensuring that
the legal rights of the minors are upheld while they are
processed through the system.
These centers differ from adult correctional facilities in their
approach, with a stronger focus on rehabilitation and support
tailored to the developmental needs of adolescents.
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BACKGROUND
we were accompanied by Dr. Sunaina Kaur Maan and Ms. Rupali
Shrivastava, Assistant Professors in the department. The visit was
conducted under the supervision and guidance of the Head of the
Department, Dr. Vinay Mishra. During the visit, Dr. Kripa Shankar
Choubey, a member of the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) briefed
everyone on how the JJB and the Observation Home function,
providing invaluable insights into their operations and the
processes involved in juvenile rehabilitation.
Ms. Mekhla Shrivastava, a counselor at the observation home, also
addressed us . Her session focused on the psychological well-being
and development of young individuals, offering the students a
unique opportunity to learn from her expertise and experience. The
visit aimed to enhance our understanding of the psychological
aspects of juvenile behavior, the functioning of juvenile
correctional facilities, and the importance of rehabilitation and
reintegration programs. It was a valuable learning experience,
giving us firsthand insights into the workings of the juvenile
justice system.
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THE VISIT
Visit to the juvenile center, with my colleagues encountering
36 students with diverse backgrounds ranging from
pickpockets to perpetrators of serious crimes such as rape and
murder, must have provided profound insights into the
complexities of juvenile delinquency. Despite the gravity of
their offenses, observed glimpses of innocence within these
young individuals, highlighting the nuanced nature of their
circumstances and actions. Interacting with such a varied
group of youths likely offered a firsthand understanding of the
multifaceted factors contributing to juvenile crime, including
social, economic, and psychological influences. This
experience likely underscored the importance of
comprehensive approaches to juvenile justice that address not
only punishment but also rehabilitation and support for
reintegration into society. Moreover, witnessing the resilience
and potential for positive change among these youths may
have inspired a deeper commitment to advocacy and
intervention efforts aimed at breaking the cycle of delinquency
and promoting holistic development.
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CONCLUSION
“The more unusual and unequal it is to sentence a child to life
without parole nationally, the worse outlier states fare when held
up to globally accepted standards of decency for our youth… the
need to address the unfinished business of ending juvenile life
without parole is urgent.”
A new report from the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth
(CFSY), our Hive partner, reveals alarming statistics about the
continued imposition of juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) in the
United States. CFSY demonstrates why we must do more to meet
our moral obligation to protect children from cruelty and allow
them opportunities to grow.
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RECOMMENDATION
Here are some recommendations that could be made to Juvenile
Centers to improve their effectiveness and the outcomes for the
youth they serve:
### 1. **Enhanced Rehabilitation Programs**
- **Focus on Education:** Implement strong educational
programs that are accredited and meet state standards, providing
juveniles with the opportunity to continue their education and earn
diplomas or GEDs.
- **Vocational Training:** Offer vocational training programs
that equip youth with marketable skills, making it easier for them
to find employment after release.
- **Mental Health Services:** Increase access to mental health
services, including counseling, therapy, and treatment for
substance abuse. Many juveniles in detention struggle with mental
health issues that, if addressed, could reduce recidivism.
- **Life Skills Training:** Introduce life skills programs that
teach basic financial literacy, communication skills, conflict
resolution, and other necessary life skills.
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### 2. **Strengthening Family and Community Ties**
- **Family Therapy and Involvement:** Encourage and facilitate
family involvement in the rehabilitation process. Providing family
counseling and therapy can help repair strained relationships and
support the juvenile's reintegration into the family after release.
- **Community Integration Programs:** Develop programs that
help juveniles build positive relationships with community
mentors, organizations, and support networks. This can ease the
transition back into the community and provide ongoing support.
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REFERENCES
1. **Government and Legal Sources**
- **U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP):**
- Website: [OJJDP](https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/)
- **State Juvenile Justice Agencies:**
# 2. **Academic Research**
- **Journal of Juvenile Justice:**
- An open-access, peer-reviewed journal that covers juvenile
justice research, including studies on detention centers,
rehabilitation efforts, and policy implications.
- Search through Google Scholar or university libraries for
specific articles.
- **Books and Articles on Juvenile Justice:**
- Books like *"Juvenile Justice: A Guide to Theory, Policy, and
Practice"* by Steven M. Cox and Jennifer M. Allen provide in-depth
analysis and case studies on juvenile justice and detention.
- Use academic databases like JSTOR or PubMed to access
relevant articles.
