15 September 2016
The Samoa Returnees Charitable Trust launched the second Reality Check programme for juvenile delinquents last week.
Trust Director Magele Vernon Mackenzie said the program was designed to discourage a life of crime for at-risk young men between the ages of 16 and 24.
He said 14 probationers were involved in the programme, which started with a pilot phase in 2014 before a second phase in November 2015. According to Magele, the programme has shown a 100 percent success rate.
“All the previous participants are no longer under the supervision of Probation, Parole and Maintenance,” said Magele.
For the programme yesterday, Magele said they worked together with the Ministry of Police and the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Prisons and Rehabilitation Services.
“A Probation Officer was assigned to the group and we started with a mock processing of a new prisoner from the courthouse, transport them to Police Holding cells where they are inducted by the Officer in Charge,” said Magele.
“This exercise and tour serves as a vehicle for the Trust to liaise with the relevant ministries and mentor these ‘at risk youth’ who need to experience firsthand this environment and the consequences of their actions and prevent them from heading down the wrong path in life.”
The permission of parents were sought and received for their offspring to be involved in the programme.
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