Why Juvenile Offenders in Adult Cells Are a Societal Time Bomb – CTA Advocacy Group Warns

The Centre for Transparency Advocacy has condemned the detention of juvenile offenders in adult cells, warning it poses a societal threat. The group advocates for juvenile centers and calls for reforms to the justice system in Abia State to ensure dignity and justice for all.

In a clarion call for urgent reforms, the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) has highlighted the dangers of detaining juvenile offenders in adult correctional facilities, describing it as a “societal time bomb.” The group made the call during a training session held in Umuahia, aimed at enhancing the professional competencies of security personnel and judicial officers in implementing the Abia State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2017.

The Facilitator of the program, Chiemezielam Kelechi Ukoha Steve, a legal expert, stressed the need for immediate establishment of juvenile centers where underage offenders can receive counseling and rehabilitation instead of being exposed to hardened criminals in adult cells.

“When children are detained alongside adult offenders, they are at risk of emerging from these facilities more dangerous than before,” she said. “The environment exposes them to criminal ideologies and behavior, compounding the issue rather than resolving it.”

Ukoha Steve also decried the treatment of defendants brought to court in torn clothes or without footwear, calling it an affront to their dignity. She condemned the practice of community security operatives detaining suspects in private facilities without transferring them to the police for proper investigation and prosecution.

She further educated Abia residents on their legal rights, emphasizing the importance of knowing why one is being arrested, the right to legal representation, and the necessity for video evidence during confessional statements to ensure transparency.

In her opening remarks, Faith Nwadishi, Executive Director of CTA, explained the purpose of the three-day program: to strengthen access to justice for all residents of Abia State by ensuring the effective implementation of the ACJL 2017.

“The law was designed to ensure justice is not only done but seen to be done,” Nwadishi stated. “We are committed to bridging the gaps in the justice system and protecting the dignity of all, especially the vulnerable.”

The advocacy group called on the Abia State Government to prioritize sensitization campaigns and strengthen enforcement mechanisms to prevent the illegal detention of juveniles and safeguard the rights of defendants. They emphasized the collective responsibility of citizens to report any illegal activities by security operatives and community vigilantes.

This call for reform resonates as Abia State continues its quest to rebuild its justice system, ensuring that all defendants, regardless of age or status, are treated with dignity and fairness.