"(b)
the release of the child in conflict with the law on
or
"(c)
the transfer of the minor to a youth
detentio
home/youth rehabilitation center." (Section 3 5 )
T h e problems o f congestion, the s u b h u m a n conditions and
inadequate facilities continue t o beleaguer m a n y o f the detention
centers a n d jails t h r o u g h o u t the country. S o m e jails, for instance
h a v e n o space f o r t h e detainees t o lie o r t o sleep i n ; t h e cells
dilapidated a n d p o o r l y ventilated; toilets a n d facilities are ofte
dirty; a n d medical personnel
a n d medicines
a r e lacking
Moreover, m a n y jails a n d precincts still fail t o recognize t h e
requirement o f systematic separation o f children f r o m adult
detainees
T h e C o m m i s s i o n is also concerned t h a t children i n d e t e n t i o n
are highly vulnerable t o torture o r other cruel, i n h u m a n o r
degrading treatment or punishment.
These factors are threats to children's rights t o survival a n d
development [Article 6 (2) CRC] and highly compromise their
right t o b e treated i n a m a n n e r consistent w i t h the p r o m o t i o n o f
their sense o f dignity a n d w o r t h (Article 4 0 CRC).
O n c e detained, t h e children are also deprived o f t h e r i g h t t o
education, as jails a n d police precincts d o n o t have education
p r o g r a m s for detainees.
T h e lack o f effective i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t h e J J W A c t o f 2 0 0 6
b y g o v e r n m e n t agencies contributes t o a great extent t o t h e
persisting problems o f continuing detention o f children.
T h e C o m m i s s i o n observes t h a t t h e lack o f social w o r k e r s has
greatly affected t h e objectives o f t h e J J W Act o f 2 0 0 6 i n r e q u i r i n g
t h e immediate t u r n o v e r a n d p r o h i b i t i n g t h e u n n e c e s s a r y
d e t e n t i o n o f apprehended children i n police precincts.
Moreover,
f o r C I C L w h o s e cases are p e n d i n g t r i a l a n d w h o s e d e t e n t i o n are
necessary as a measure 'of last resort' ( J J W Act o f Section 3 6 ) , n
sufficient y o u t h detention h o m e s have been established resulting
i n children ending up i n jails and penitentiaries.
T h e J J W A c t o f 2 0 0 6 has specifically referred t o t h e m a n d a t e
of the local government units i n the F a m i l y Courts Act (Section 4 9
o f R.A. 9344) t o estabhsh y o u t h detention homes for CICLs. I n