Labour MP concerned about underage children in prison

Over the last few days two youths of fifteen and sixteen were taken to prison until they were granted bail. While the male was placed in the youth section, the female had to be placed in the adult section as there are no youth sections for females in Malta.

Labour MP Dr Justyne Caruana said “This is not a solution that aids the rehabilitation of the minor. This great weakness, along with other deficiencies needs to be addressed in order to help these vulnerable children at this crucial stage in their lives.”

These children should be given the opportunity to contribute to society, not to become a problem of it, the MP said. "In the context of the increase in crime involving minors, Cait is an urgent matter, that both a short and long-term plan be developed that takes into consideration their fundamental rights as well as the treatment of such minors with dignity in the light of the International Convention of the Rights of Children."