Home Affairs Minister Visits Youth Correctional Facility To Highlight Rehabilitation

Home Affairs and Security Minister Glenn Bedingfield visited the C.O.R.R.S. Youth Correctional Facility, where he highlighted the importance of rehabilitation, guidance and second chances for young people in the correctional system.

During the visit, the Minister met staff and learned more about the work being carried out with minors and young adults held at the facility. He stressed that young people should be given the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and receive the support needed to rebuild their lives, while maintaining the necessary levels of security.

The facility currently houses 26 young men aged between 14 and 21, although there are no 14-year-olds currently being held there. Each resident follows an individual care plan involving both a psychologist and a social worker, ensuring support is tailored to their specific needs.

Where possible, rehabilitation also involves families, while therapeutic programmes, including occupational therapy, help residents develop practical skills and prepare for a more positive future.

Officials also explained that not everyone at the facility is serving a sentence, with many young people being held while awaiting the outcome of legal proceedings. Those who are sentenced typically remain at the centre for between eight months and three years.

Minister Bedingfield said rehabilitation must balance accountability with opportunities for change, allowing young people to make better choices and successfully reintegrate into society.

"Every young person should be given the guidance and support needed to build a better future. Rehabilitation creates opportunities for change and a fresh start," he said.

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