(a) whether the Government has taken note that many children imprisoned in juvenile homes repeat the same crime when they come out after completing their punishment because the society does not accept them and they do not have employment and such children also tend to get
inclined towards terrorist activities;
(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and;
(c) the steps taken/being take by the Government for their rehabilitation?
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)
(a)to (c): In accordance with the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 ,the State Governments/UT Administrations are required to provide for measures and services aimed at rehabilitation and re-socialisation of children in conflict with law. The Model Rules under the Act further provide for minimum standards of care to be maintained in the Homes for children including education, counseling, vocational training etc., to help the children re-integrate into the society on leaving the Homes. Further, Section 44 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 mandates the State Governments/UT Administrations to have ‘after care programmes’ for supporting children for a period of three years, after they leave Homes, to enable them to lead an honest, industrious and useful life.
The Government, in the Ministry of Women and Child Development, is implementing a centrally sponsored scheme, namely Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), under which financial assistance is provided to State Governments/UT Administrations for, inter-alia, setting up and maintenance of various types of Homes and upgradation of facilities therein as well as for after care services to help sustain the children during the transition from institutional to independent life. The services include housing facilities, vocational training, help to gain employment, counseling and stipend etc.
However, children may repeat offences due to various other socio-economic factors such as poverty, dysfunctional families, bad influence of other adults etc.