GUIDELINES FOR THE JUVENILE HOLDING CENTRE
The Juvenile Holding Centre was established to house the following groups of juveniles:-
- Both males and females who are remanded by the courts and are awaiting the outcome of their matters in court.
- Juveniles who have been sentenced for detention at the New Opportunity Corps., and are awaiting transportation to that institution.
- Juveniles who have been released from the New Opportunity Corps and are waiting to be sent home.
- The juvenile holding centre while it caters for juveniles who are in conflict with the law ought not to be seen as a “lock up”. This is so because emphasis is placed on rehabilitation and re-integration of the juveniles into their communities.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has overall responsibility for the management of the juvenile holding centre and would be responsible for ensuring that the appropriate number of staff consisting of the administrator, social workers etc. Are employed to ensure the necessary programmes are in place for rehabilitation and re-integration of the juvenile into his/her community.
The Guyana Police Force will be responsible for security of the premises care, custody and general wellbeing of all juveniles admitted to the centre and must adhere to the following rules:-
- No male officer shall enter the housing area allocated to the female juveniles except on duty and in the company of a female rank.
- Juveniles shall be searched only by a rank of the same sex.
- Searching of juveniles should be done in a manner such as to unearth prohibited items from entering into the cells.
- Discipline and order shall be maintained with firmness, but with no more restriction than is required for safe custody and well ordered community life.
- Juveniles who display unacceptable behaviours would be placed in solitary confinement and prevented from seeing visitors as a means of punishment. However, before such action is taken, a report in respect of such conduct should be communicated to either the head of the institution or the officer/ inspector in charge who would be responsible for giving such order. Also, in cases where juveniles have acted in a manner which is considered grave and such action warrants prosecution, the police having reported such matter to the head of the centre and/or officer/inspector in charge based on instructions will be responsible for taking the necessary steps to ensure the offender is prosecuted.
- At all times treatment of juveniles shall be such as to encourage their self respect and a sense of personal responsibility.
- While in the custody of the Juvenile Holding Centre, juveniles should receive academic instruction since they are unable to attend school during this time. All efforts must be made to ensure that this is possible. At all times when programmes/activities are conducted, police presence must be visible throughout that programme/activity.
- .As part of their duties as it relates to the care and custody, the police are expected to ensure that the areas occupied by the juveniles are kept in a clean and tidy manner. Juveniles shall be responsible for cleaning their dorms and the catwalk area within.
- In the event a juvenile complains of ill health, it must be reported and depending on the severity the juvenile will be immediately escorted to a medical facility.
- No staff whether civilian/ police should allow juveniles access to their phones. Phone calls for juveniles are only allowed in the administrator’s office on prescribed days or should the need arise.
- It is advised that both civilian and police limit use of their personal cell phones when in company of juveniles.
- Juveniles shall have access to their personal belongings and regular checks should be made to unearth any prohibited items.
- Checks on juveniles should be regular which allow for the prevention of damage to property, bullying etc. Children who are awake during sleeping hours should be monitored constantly while juveniles sleeping be observed every 15 minutes.