MaximsNewsNetwork: 06 May 2010 - UNICEF: Tbilisi, Georgia - In the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, adolescent boys convicted of a crime are part of a two-year program in a prison for underage male offenders, that focuses on building the boys' future reintegration into society while ensuring they understand the mistakes of their past.
The Educational Establishment for Juveniles of the Penitentiary Department houses 153 boys between the ages of fourteen and eighteen and has been involved with the reform of the juvenile justice sector undertaken by the Government of Georgia and supported by UNICEF and the European Union.
At the Tbilisi probation office young people are helped by probation officers through group work and in individual sessions with a psychologist hired to work exclusively with them.
They take part in vocational learning programs and study video editing, computer maintenance and repair, animation, web design and hairdressing while academic education for young offenders has also been upgraded and classrooms have been refurbished and equipped.
Underage girls who are serving sentences in Tbilisis Womens Prison No 5 have also benefited from the reform by learning practical skills like dressmaking and hairdressing while living in separated rooms specially equipped with computers and other essentials as a place to study and spend free time.
SOUNDBITE (Russian), Juvenile Offender:
Im very interested and Im eager to learn, I realized it better after coming here. I want to learn myself, no one forces me to.
SOUNDBITE (Russian), Juvenile Offender:
Its good we have this room now. Of course we are better now that only three of us live together rather than all of us. I have great hopes and dream about changing my life so that I dont have such moments any more. Im very sorry about my mistakes.
SOUNDBITE (Russian) Juvenile Offender:
If I could return the time I would change one thing: I would not commit what I committed.
..... ( UNITED NATIONS CHILDRENS FUND: UNICEF TELEVISION ) .....
MaximsNewsNetwork:
News Network for the United Nations and the International Community.
See: [ Ссылка ].
"GIVING POWER & RESONANCE TO THE VOICE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY" ...........................
