ARISA Child

Children sentenced for a crime rarely receive custodial sentences and are usually put under probation or other similar non-custodial measures. Simultaneously, for various reasons, they require different specific treatment and measures when serving a judicial sentence. This is particularly true for disadvantaged minors, namely from minority groups, with learning difficulties, suffering from disabilities or experiencing family problems.

 

In many countries, however, the implementation of probation for youngsters does not differ much from that for adults. Accordingly, there are often no specific programmes, measures, or other mechanisms that consider the characteristics of this group.

 

ARISA Child intends to tackle these issues by increasing the knowledge of the staff of correctional services on how to work with sentenced youngsters, respect their rights and address their particular needs. This will be achieved by developing and providing training to professionals working with institutionalised youngsters, as well as by promoting capacity-building activities tailored to these professionals’ needs.