Juvenile Justice

In 2010, more than 40 percent of sentences for juveniles apply alternatives to detention. A new draft law on mediation extends discretion for mediation referral to judges and prosecutors and makes it an obligatory option for consideration before court session. Police diverted 22 percent of juvenile offences to victim–off ender mediation in piloted cities. However, average time spent in detention by juveniles awaiting trial is too long.

UNICEF supported the newly opened Kavaja institute for juveniles, which now has a regime appropriate for its 40 juvenile off enders aimed at their reintegration into society following their release, in accordance with international standards. Work started to draft a strategy on justicefor children, including child offenders, child victims, child witnesses and those under the age of criminal responsibility (fourteen years). Assessment of the budget needs for juvenile justice has also begun. UNICEF’s support to government institutions is closely coordinated through the International Consortium (IC) on Justice Reform.

Source: 2010 Annual Progress Report