Irish Rule of Law International (Malawi) and Venture Trust held a stakeholder meeting yesterday for the launch of a new pilot initiative they are starting called “Mwai Wosinthika”- An alternative to custody for young people. This is an extension of a project currently being undertaken in Kachere Juvenile Reformatory centre by Venture Trust and the Diversion programme being implemented by IRLI in order to try and "divert" young people aawy from the criminal justice system through behavioural change.
The project is targeting any vulnerable
young person at risk of or currently in conflict with families, school
authorities, traditional authorities or the Police and courts. Those due to appear before the courts
could be referred instead by Police or Social Welfare or the Courts themselves
to Venture Trust Malawi and other government agencies. The proposed pilot project has the
potential to offer a direct alternative to custody for young offenders who have
“exhausted” existing options and require an intensive level of support and
supervision within the community via probation services. (Referral criteria such as number of
offences, severity and the level of risk posed to themselves and others).
“Mwai
Wosinthika” aims to give young people the chance or opportunity to change
in both their circumstances but perhaps more importantly and more empowering by
giving the responsibility and therefore a choice about wanting to make a change
in their behaviour and therefore how they deal with life’s problems. One major consequence of which it is hoped will be the
reduction in numbers of young people that are placed in custody so that they
can continue to learn in school or become productive members of their community
and Malawian Society.
The
potential participants will be asked the following key questions:
1. Are you ready and
committed to change?
2. If you are ready then
Venture Trust along with partner agencies can help support you in that change
process.
3. School and education is
highly encouraged as part of the process of change.
4. It will involve hard work
and attending a programme which you must commit to until completion.
5. There is no money
involved. Do you understand that Venture Trust offer support and
guidance as well as a model of thinking that will last for life.
The project emphasises that behaviour change has to start with a willingness
on the part of the participant to take responsibility for his or her
actions. There are a number of stages to the pilot programme.
Stage 1: The young person will receive an one-to-one” baseline”
initial interview from a Venture Trust trained development worker, probation
officer or social worker to assess suitability for the project
Following the assessment and the young persons own self-assessment
of their “level of commitment” to change a decision will be made to take them
on.
Stage 2: The young person will agree to attend a programme over 12 weeks in which will emphasise the main areas ofSelf-confidence; education & employability; behaviour and attitude
and finally reducing the risk of re-offending.
Stage 3: Dependant on their progress which is benchmarked by use of
Venture Trust’s own monitoring & evaluation system the young person may be
invited to attend a adventure weekend away from the sometimes negative distractions of the city.
Stage 4: Upon completion of the programme the young person will receive
a certificate of their achievement and be supported to prepare their own action
plan (“dongo solo”) which focuses on working towards a life objective by
setting goals for the following year.
(In an event of a young person been ordered by the Court to
undertake the programme and not completing this will be communicated to the
court by means of the appointed probation officer.)
Who are we?
Irish Rule of Law International is a joint initiative of the Law
Society of Ireland and the Bar Council of Ireland, dedicated to promoting the
rule of law in developing countries. IRLI seeks to harness the skills of
Irish lawyers in using the law as a means of tackling global injustice and
empowering all people to live in a society free from inequality, corruption and
conflict.
Venture Trust is a Scottish based charity
that has grown significantly over
the last ten years as its approach of working with vulnerable young
people (often whom others will not work with or who are excluded from school or
life’s opportunities) offers an welcome alternative to custody for Magistrates,
courts and police services that are already stretched due to budget and
capacity. In 2011 Venture Trust was invited by the Malawi Government under the
sponsorship of the Scottish Government as part of the Scotland-Malawi
Partnership Agreement to work initially with vulnerable young people in Kachere
Prison (now Kachere Reformatory Centre).
