PESHAWAR, March 11: The reclamation and probation department, NWFP, has expressed concern over the non- establishment of borstal institutions for juvenile offenders in the province, stating that due to growing number of juvenile offenders the situation is deteriorating day by day.

In an official letter sent to the inspector general of prison, the deputy director of the department has requested him to take up the issue with the concerned quarters.

The letter bearing No 664-65/D.R&P(0-2) dated March 5, the deputy director has stated that under the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance, 2002, and rules framed thereunder the government should establish and maintain a borstal institution in at least every district of the province to keep and accommodate juveniles in these institutions as soon as possible.

The letter stated that at the moment there are 69 juvenile probationers on the strength of the reclamation and probation department in various district offices and new cases are expected to be placed on probation.

It is stated that unfortunately the borstal institutions are not available in the province which is a great set back to the ordinance and rules.

The deputy director recalled that on Feb 27 the probation officer-II Peshawar reported that a first class magistrate at Peshawar handed over to him an under-trial juvenile of 15-year age in order to keep him under his custody during the trial period and directed the probation officer to produce the juvenile for further trial in the court on March 10.

He pointed out that under section 10(3) of the ordinance the child should be placed under the custody of probation officer or a suitable person, but should not be kept in a police station or jail in such cases. The probation officer informed the deputy director that there is no such facility available with him, but he had to keep the said juvenile with him because of the court’s order.

The deputy director requested the IG Prison that for interim period alternate arrangements be provided on emergency-basis for the said purpose.

Under the Juvenile Justice System Rules notified on May 9, 2002, the government should establish and maintain a borstal institution in every district and all arrangements relating to juveniles education and training for their mental, moral and psychological development should be provided within such borstal institutions.

Female juveniles should be detained in separate enclosures of the borstal institution exclusively established for this purpose, the rules envisages. Moreover, female juveniles should in no case be kept in a police lock-up or prison.