UNICEF donates equipment for remote hearing of juvenile cases

In an effort to ensure justice for juveniles in detention while preventing the spread of COVID-19 UNICEF has donated to the Ministry of Home Affairs Skype recording units and other equipment to be installed at the Sophia Juvenile Holding Centre, New Amsterdam Prison, Camp Street and Lusignan Prisons to allow the remote hearing of cases and connections with the courts, including the Children’s Court, and other facilities deemed necessary for the promotion of telehealth to persons in detention.

This is according to a press release from the Ministry which said that in addition to the savings from travel and other related costs, the equipment will have the doublebenefit of ensuring access to justice, while maintaining physical distancing during COVID-19.

According to the release, for women in detention at New Amsterdam, the Ministry and UNICEF have recommitted efforts to assessing policies surrounding early childhood development and breastfeeding for lactating mothers who may be in prison.

The equipment to be installed here is said to be to help mothers to communicate with their children, as part of the process towards ensuring reintegration of families during detention.

The release said that UNICEF has also provided support to the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure the promotion of sanitation and hygiene practices for staff and youth in detention, as a means of safeguarding against the disease.

According to the release, based on the global guidelines for the prevention and response to COVID, UNICEF is also supporting the Ministry to ensure that there is access to legal aid, which it said will also have the desired effect of reducing the numbers of youth in detention.

These measures the release said precede joint discussions on the draft Juvenile Justice Regulations 2020, which will complement the legislation, aimed at strengthening the overall administration of justice for juveniles.

It then goes on to say that with UNICEF, the Ministry will also improve its sanitation area in the facility, and support the implementation of protocols for the safety of juveniles in detention, along with hygiene management training.

According to the press release, the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Juvenile Justice Department, as part of its efforts initiated with the support of UNICEF in February 2020 following the approval of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2018, is pleased to continue its partnership to ensure access to justice for youth in detention- including women and juveniles, (over 18 years) who may be awaiting trial.