GIVE THEM A SECOND CHANCE

In Kenya, the estimated number of children detained and in custody is around 15,000: the vast majority are accused of minor first-time offences. The project which has just started in Kenya, in the most populated counties of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyieri and Machakos, addresses 25 government custody facilities and aims to eradicate all forms of violence against detained children in custody. This is achieved not only by promoting structural reforms to free the Juvenile Justice system from violence, but also by involving local communities, reinforcing protection services and institutions that provide legal and psychological services, as well as rehabilitation, training, assistance and reintegration.

 

In 2016, thanks to the collaboration and support of the Cassa di Risparmio di Modena Foundation, part of the project is dedicated to supporting internal structural reforms in 6 rehabilitation institutes of Othaya, Wamumu, Likoni, Kakamega, Kisumu and Kericho, located in 4 Counties of Kenya: Central, Coastal, Nyanza-Western and Rift Valley. In this context of intervention, protection mechanisms in the juvenile justice system for the provision of legal and psychological assistance, educational services, rehabilitation, professional training and monitoring of minors within the judicial system are all reinforced. Moreover, the involvement of the children is guaranteed, at local and national level, in establishing a judicial system without violence.