TREATMENT OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS AND YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS IN MALAYSIA (FROM UNAFEI - RESOURCE MATERIAL SERIES NO 14, 1978, SEE NCJ-51514)

• NCJ Number: 51521
• Author(s): J A WAHID
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: Japan
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE 46TH INTERNATIONAL TRAINING COURSE ON THE TREATMENT OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS AND YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS, TOKYO, APRIL 19 TO JULY 9, 1977

Annotation

JUVENILE COURTS, JUVENILE PROBATION, 'APPROVED' SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE TREATMENT OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS IN MALAYSIA ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

THE JUVENILE COURT IN MALAYSIA IS COMPOSED OF THE PRESIDENT OF A SESSIONS COURT, A QUALIFIED JUDICIAL OFFICER, AND TWO ADVISERS (VOLUNTEERS FROM THE COMMUNITY) NOMINATED BY THE STATE AUTHORITY. THE PRESIDENT DETERMINES GUILT IN AN INFORMAL BUT ADVERSARIAL MANNER AND, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE TWO ADVISERS, DECIDES WHAT FORM OF TREATMENT TO ADMINISTER. THE REPORT OF A PROBATION OFFICER DEALING WITH THE BACKGROUND CHARACTERISTICS OF EACH JUVENILE PROCESSED IS GIVEN CAREFUL CONSIDERATION IN DECIDING ON THE TREATMENT TO ADMINISTER IN EACH CASE. LEGAL OPTIONS FOR THE JUVENILE COURT ARE LISTED. THE PROBATION SYSTEM AIMS AT REHABILITATION OF AN OFFENDER WHILE HE REMAINS IN THE COMMUNITY AT NORMAL WORK OR IN SCHOOL. THE JUVENILE COURT IS AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE A PROBATION ORDER FOR A JUVENILE FOUND GUILTY OF ANY OFFENSE BUT HOMICIDE, AFTER GIVING DUE REGARD TO THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE CASE. IF THE OFFENDER FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE CONDITIONS OF THE PROBATION ORDER, HE IS LIABLE TO BE DEALT WITH FOR THE ORIGINAL OFFENSES AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL OFFENSE COMMITTED WHILE ON PROBATION. THE WORK OF THE PROBATION OFFICER IS BRIEFLY DESCRIBED. IN ORDER TO HELP JUVENILE OFFENDERS DEVELOP CHARACTER AND NEEDED SKILLS FOR SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT, 'APPROVED' SCHOOLS WERE ESTABLISHED AS PLACES FOR DETENTION, TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND REHABILITATION OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS AND THOSE IN NEED OF CARE AND PROTECTION. THE NUMBER, ADMINISTRATION, AND PROGRAMS OF THE SCHOOLS ARE CONSIDERED. UPON DISCHARGE FROM A SCHOOL, SUCH JUVENILES ARE GIVEN 3 YEARS OF AFTERCARE OR UNTIL THEY REACH THE AGE OF 18. TYPES OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE TREATMENT OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS ARE DESCRIBED. DATA ARE PROVIDED FOR TYPES OF OFFENSES COMMITTED BY JUVENILES, CASES PLACED ON PROBATION OR SUPERVISION, AND THE NUMBER OF CASES ON AFTERCARE. (RCB)