Govt prioritizes Juvenile justice issues – Minister

KALOBWE BWALYA Writes@SunZambianHOME Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo says Government has been paying more attention to human rights and juvenile justice issues which are essential to improving the health of the juvenile in Zambian prisons, eliminating ex-tended pre-trial detention, expanding none—custodial options and ensuring that children and youths are only detained as last resort.Mr Kampyongo has also said government has been working and remained committed to improving juvenile health in detention facilities as well as expanding health service and improved conditions of the confinement, including separate facilities for juveniles.Mr Kampyongo said these measure are key in keeping juveniles out of the unhealthy environment of the correctional facilities and protecting the health of the children in conflict of the law.Mr Kampyongo said this in a speech read for him by ministry Home Affairs director Ronny Musapi at the launch of pro-moting human rights, quality health and well –being of the youth prison populations in Southern Africa project in Lusaka.He said with the problem of overcrowding being extended to juvenile detention, particularly with the HIV and TB co-epidemics underscoring the importance of addressing both criminal justice failures that lead to juveniles being incarcer-ated for extended periods under deplorable conditions.Meanwhile, Southern Africa network of Prison (SANOP) chairperson Thorncroft Moomba said the project would target youth, women/girls, in prisons including migrants and young ex-inmates, and people living with HIVMs Moomba said despite the high rates of infection, there are currently inadequate HIV/AIDS and SRH services for youth in contact and in conflict with the law in Southern Africa such as youth inmates and ex-inmates and that has led more youth inmates and former inmates being highly vulnerable to HIV.“These young people also do not have enough information and coordination capacity to effectively advocate and de-mand for tailor made HIV/AIDS and health services to realise their health rights from relevant duty bearers.Another challenge is inadequate research and evidence into the unique HIV and health challenges incarcerated young migrants,” said Ms Moonga.