A special investigation at the Rio Cobre Juvenile Correctional Centre conducted by the Independent Commission of Investigation (INDECOM) has pointed to excessive punishment of inmates. It was one of the issues raised recently at the commission’s press briefing.
Commissioner of the Independent Commission of Investigation Hugh Faulkner says a special investigation conducted at the Rio Cobre Juvenile Correctional Centre, has revealed worrying practices. Of particular concern is the use of excessive and arbitrary punishment to reprimand the children.
Other discrepancies include reports from the minors that when they are locked away in the jail block they are forced to strip to their underwear.
In another instance, a child who was having an epileptic seizure was not able to get assistance, as the keys to the cell were taken by a warder to be duplicated.
The INDECOM commissioner says the practice of grouping children who have been charged with an offense with those who have been described as uncontrollable needs to be addressed urgently.
