Gov’t Aims to Launch Juvenile Rehabilitation ‘Hope Island’ Within Three Years
Photo: Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology
Ali Ihusaan, Minister for Homeland Security and Technology, has announced that the government intends to make the juvenile rehabilitation facility, Hope Island, operational within three years.
Speaking to PSM News this week, Ihusaan stated that the government’s Social Council has approved the hope island concept plans, which will be presented at the next cabinet meeting.
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He explained that minors involved in criminal activities would be taken to Hope Island for personalised treatment until they reach 18 years of age. After turning 18, they would be required to serve a specified term in the security forces before being allowed to pursue their preferred careers.
“I previously mentioned Hope Island in the press… designating an island where we can take these minors out… children from dysfunctional families on the margins of society, we will bring them to this island and develop treatment plans for them there,” Ihusaan said in his interview with PSM.
“If everything goes to plan, grace be to God, we aim to make the island fully functional within three years. We can pilot these programmes in police training facilities before then too,” he added.
Ihusaan first revealed plans to institutionalise juvenile delinquents during a press conference in May. At that time, he mentioned that law enforcement agencies had identified at least 200 minors at risk of falling into crime.
The Hope Island project was not included in this year’s annual state budget, but the ministry is working on securing funding from foreign agencies, Ihusaan noted in May.
