Hanna to make Cabinet submission on children in lock-ups

The Ministry of Youth and Culture says a Cabinet submission dealing with the issue of children in police lock-ups is in its final stage.

In statement today, the youth minister Lisa Hanna said she will be seeking Cabinet’s approval, to among other things, have child offenders held in separate facilities from adults.

However, the minister is warning that the problem will not be solved overnight.
Nevertheless, she’s seeking to reassure that her ministry is committed to finding a lasting solution.

She said discussions with the ministries of Justice and National Security as well as the Child Development Agency and the Office of the Children’s Advocate are integral to the process.

Recently, there has been a public outcry by advocacy groups about the practice of holding children in lock ups with adults.

Jamaicans for Justice and Help JA Children have both reminded the relevant authorities that it’s a contravention of the Child Care and Protection Act.

They have also called for the situation to be remedied.

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