‘Doing time for crime’ not helping Armenia’s youth
Poor socio-economic conditions and incarceration of juvenile offenders in place of real rehabilitation is seeing a dramatic increase in the number of juvenile crimes in Armenia; a phenomenon that World Vision hopes to address through preventive measures at community level and alternative means of punishment.In just nine months of 2009 the number of juvenile offenders increased by 56 as compared to the same period in 2008, with 447 instances in 2009 as compared to 391 in 2008, reported World Vision Child Protection Expert Hasmik Ghukasyan at a roundtable discussion hosted by World Vision.
“There are two major factors that contribute to the increase of juvenile delinquency: the poor socio-economic situation in many families in Armenia and the lack of attention towards children in the families that affects their occupancy”, shared Nelly Duryan, the deputy head of the Police of Juvenile Affairs in Armenia.
The roundtable discussion, attended by relevant ministries, police and international NGO representatives promoted dialogue between the stakeholders and gave them the opportunity to brainstorm cooperative actions in the future.
Mrs. Lala Ghazaryan, head of the Juvenile and Women Affairs of the Armenian Ministry of Social Affairs also added that they have registered an alarming rate of re-offending by youth. “This is due to the fact that juvenile offenders are punished and sentenced to prison and when they are out of prison youth are more inclined to re-commit crimes”, Lala Ghazaryan explained.
“World Vision will advocate for reforming the public expenditure management system for juvenile justice to ensure that more preventative and rehabilitative services are available across Armenia and sufficient budget allocations are made for alternative sanctions for juvenile offenders”, says Tatevik Davtyan, World Vision Armenia Advocacy and Gender Expert.
”World Vision’s child protection philosophy recognises the important role that family and community play in child upbringing. With this project we anticipate close cooperation between communities, regional child protection units and police for early identification of youth with anti-social behaviour and adequate measures to prevent their engagement in criminal activities and reintegration of young offenders into their communities”, added World Vision Armenia’s Child Protection Expert.
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“There are two major factors that contribute to the increase of juvenile delinquency: the poor socio-economic situation in many families in Armenia and the lack of attention towards children in the families that affects their occupancy”, shared Nelly Duryan, the deputy head of the Police of Juvenile Affairs in Armenia.
The roundtable discussion, attended by relevant ministries, police and international NGO representatives promoted dialogue between the stakeholders and gave them the opportunity to brainstorm cooperative actions in the future.
Mrs. Lala Ghazaryan, head of the Juvenile and Women Affairs of the Armenian Ministry of Social Affairs also added that they have registered an alarming rate of re-offending by youth. “This is due to the fact that juvenile offenders are punished and sentenced to prison and when they are out of prison youth are more inclined to re-commit crimes”, Lala Ghazaryan explained.
“World Vision will advocate for reforming the public expenditure management system for juvenile justice to ensure that more preventative and rehabilitative services are available across Armenia and sufficient budget allocations are made for alternative sanctions for juvenile offenders”, says Tatevik Davtyan, World Vision Armenia Advocacy and Gender Expert.
”World Vision’s child protection philosophy recognises the important role that family and community play in child upbringing. With this project we anticipate close cooperation between communities, regional child protection units and police for early identification of youth with anti-social behaviour and adequate measures to prevent their engagement in criminal activities and reintegration of young offenders into their communities”, added World Vision Armenia’s Child Protection Expert.
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