NCJ Number
45350
Date Published
1977
Length
16 pages
Annotation
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE TREATMENT OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS AND DRUG ABUSERS IN MALAYSIA IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
MALAYSIA'S JUVENILE COURTS ACT PROVIDES FOR THE SELECTION OF TWO COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SERVE AS ADVISORS TO EACH JUVENILE COURT. THE RATIONALE FOR THE ADVISOR PROGRAM IS THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE IN A POSITION TO HELP THE COURTS CONSIDER THE BACKGROUNDS OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS AND THUS TO CONTRIBUTE TO APPROPRIATE DISPOSITIONS. THE PROGRAM SUFFERS FROM A LACK OF ACTIVE PARTICIPATION ON THE PART OF ADVISORS, A SITUATION THAT POSSIBLY COULD BE REMEDIED BY A SHORT TRAINING COURSE COVERING THE ADVISORS' ROLES AND FUNCTIONS. COMMUNITY MEMBERS ALSO SERVE ON DISTRICT JUVENILE WELFARE COMMITTEES, WHICH ASSIST PROBATION OFFICERS IN SUPERVISING JUVENILE PROBATIONERS, IN FINDING GUARDIANS AND FOSTER HOMES, AND IN SECURING TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. COMMITTEE MEMBERS ALSO TRY TO INTEREST OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE WELFARE OF JUVENILES AND ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE NEED FOR POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE REFORMS. COMMUNITY MEMBERS SERVE ON BOARDS OF VISITORS, WHICH ARE CHARGED WITH UPHOLDING STANDARDS OF TREATMENT IN MALAYSIA'S 'APPROVED SCHOOLS' FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS AND CHILDREN IN NEED OF CARE AND PROTECTION. BOARD MEMBERS REVIEW THE PROGRESS OF EACH YOUNG PERSON ATTENDING AN APPROVED SCHOOL AND DETERMINE WHEN RELEASE IS APPROPRIATE. THE SCHOOLS HAVE ADOPTED SEVERAL MEASURES TO REDUCE THE ISOLATING EFFECTS OF THE APPROVED SCHOOL EXPERIENCE AND TO PROMOTE TIES BETWEEN THE SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITY. BOARDS OF VISITORS ALSO SUPPORT AND EVALUATE MALAYSIA'S DRUG REHABILITATION CENTERS. SEVERAL PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS, PARTICULARLY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DRUG ABUSE MALAYSIA, PROMOTE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE. (LKM)