GEORGE NEWS - The Outeniqua Child and Youth Centre (CYCC) for youth awaiting trial or youth with severe behavioural challenges, recently received a R36-million facelift.
According to Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, the completion of the project has raised the facility's capacity from being able to support 80 youngsters to 140.
She said the expansion of the facility will help address overcrowding while also contributing to the implementation of a safer and more secure centre that is following norms and standards required at such facilities.
The official handover from the provincial Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) to the provincial Department of Social Development (DSD) took place on Friday 10 June.
"As a department, we remain committed to providing assistance and support to youth who have been in confrontation with the law. These young individuals must not be lost in the criminal justice system, but rather empowered so that they can be proactive citizens once they are reintegrated back into society," said Fernandez.
The facility recently underwent huge renovations.
The provincial DSD has implemented international best practices to ensure that the facility offers state-of-the-art functionality that includes enhanced lines of sight, graffiti resistant paint and vandal resistant fixtures.
The design of the facility also makes allowance for staff to be more involved in the daily activities of the youth in their care and offers better opportunities for mentorship and guidance.
The department currently operates seven multi-programme secure care centres that cater to children who are in conflict with the law under the Child Justice Act as well as the Children's Act. These two groups of children are separated.
Many children are ordered by courts into secure care after being convicted for violent crimes such as rape and murder. In addition, both the Children's Act and Child Justice Act make provision for children staying in secure care until the age of 21.
Currently, about 60% of the secure care centres' residents are over the age of 18.
Among the challenges posed by these legislative provisions is that, unlike correctional services personnel, child and youth care workers are not allowed to have or use protective equipment.
An upgraded classroom.
Neat space for belongings.
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