Ministry concludes juveniles’ escape investigation, issues new procedures

AMMAN — The Social Development Ministry on Tuesday announced the results of an investigation by a committee to examine the escape of 10 minors from a juvenile centre in Ruseifa. 

The ministry also revealed new precautionary procedures meant to limit minors’ escape from juvenile centres across the Kingdom, according to a ministry statement

The committee, formed by Social Development Minister Basma Ishaqat, revealed a shortcoming by a centre supervisor who gave a juvenile the key to the dormitory. The juvenile took advantage of supervisors’ lack of attention and used a chisel to cut the fence of a wall and escape.

Ten minors escaped from the Ruseifa Centre on November 18, after which Ishaqat formed an investigation committee to follow up on the incident.

The panel recommended referring the responsible supervisor to a disciplinary council for legal action, in addition to warning two other supervisors who were during the same shift and depriving them of allowances for one month.

To avoid similar incidents, the ministry put forth a plan to prepare a special space at the juvenile education and rehabilitation centre in Amman to receive dangerous juveniles who recommitted crimes and were judicially sent to centres.

Juveniles will also now be sorted according to age and the type of crimes they commit.

The ministry’s new procedures also included a communiqué depriving supervisors of their monthly and night-shift allowances for 6 to 12 months and depriving the centre director of their monthly allowances if any escape incidents happen during their shifts.

If employees are proven to be at fault, leading to a minor’s escape, strict administrative procedures shall be also taken against them, according to the statement. 

Juvenile centres are not like prisons in that they allow their inmates to leave and take part in activities such as vocational training, sports and trips.

The amended Juvenile Law granted more rights to juveniles and replaced penalties with community service activities.

The investigation showed that the escapees had aggressive behaviours and had recommited crimes, such as thefts and fights.