Social workers welcome...

Social workers welcome...

been an answer 10 controlling crimes and therefore it should be summarily out of the statute books. The alternative to death penalty which is currently acceptable across the world is the imprisonment. Therefore. the big question could be. once children are brought under the ambit of the criminal justice system, what will be the quantum of punishment for them.

It is also a fact that we have failed miserably in the creation of special facilities for dealing with young adult offenders in the age group of 16-21 who are sentenced for life imprisonment. It is high time that India seizes this opportunity and creates a new all India legislation that deals with incarceration of young adult offenders in specialised penal institutions. Existing legislation like the Borstal Schools Act should undergo a thorough overhauling. If this is not done, all those juvenile offenders who will end up in prisons are sure to become hard-core criminals. And when they are ultimately released at the end of their penal servitude, they are sure to pose an even bigger threat for the society.

Former member of Child Welfare Committee and professor with Vivekanand College of Social Work Dr Jayashree Khawase (Rehpade) has stated that the child in the age of 16 to 18 years understands the difference between his good and bad acts. Deterrent punishments will act as a control over his behaviour and indulgence in criminal acts. Moreover, those living in social conditions, where crime is common, will not easily fall victim to the social situation. Of Khawase has welcomed the decision and has expected hope that the amendment will help in controlling behaviour of juvenile in criminal activities. Principal of Bhaiyyaji Pandharipande National Institute of Social Work Dr L S Tulankar has also welcomed the proposed amendment. Fie stated that deeper studies by psychologists and sociologists should be done to go to the root cause of growing involvement of juvenile in criminal acts like rape and murder. The study should not be restricted to the juveniles, but extent its ambit and find reasons for overall increase in number of such heinous crime in the country. Such a study should also ignore flimsy reasons given by political leaders on such issues.

Posted in: News 2014