Juveniles who are detained in prisons while awaiting trial will now be separated from those who are already serving their sentences, the government announced today.

"At this time, these two groups (of juveniles), have been placed together. The government is now taking steps to separate them," said National Unity and Social Development Minister Siti Zaharah Sulaiman.

Speaking to participants at a Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) sponsored workshop on the rights of juvenile detainees, Zaharah said that as of this October there are 1,714 juveniles from both groups are being held in prisons meant for adults.

Of the total, 887 have not been charged while 827 have already been charged.

Zaharah added that a total of 29,642 juveniles were being detained in various places such as prisons, rehabilitation centres and the Henry Gurney reform school.

More detention centres

"Eight out of 10 rehabilitation schools have been gazetted as temporary detention centres for those awaiting trial and one more would be built under the Eighth Malaysia Plan," Zaharah added.

Juvenile detention came into the limelight when the media reported that juveniles below 21 years were placed in prisons meant for adults.

Zaharah also added that bail for these juveniles were often set too high and was not consistent with the crime committed.

"Juvenile prisoners and those being remanded should not be placed in prisons as it would have negative effects on their minds," she said.

Another problem faced by juvenile prisoners is that they are usually placed in detention for a long time before their cases are heard before a court.

According to Suhakam commissioner Prof Hamdan Adnan who was also present at the workshop, there is a juvenile who has been detained since 1999 but his case would not be heard until 2002.

Zaharah, however, said that she would be speaking to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Rais Yatim to discuss the matter.

Ensure rights

The one-day workshop was held at Suhakam'a headquarters in Kuala Lumpur and was attended by representatives from the Home Ministry, Attorney-General's Chambers, the police, Prisons Department, Bar Council, Welfare Department and Prime Minister's Department.

Meanwhile a Suhakam statement said the participants of the workshop have agreed that certain steps be taken to ensure that the rights of juveniles in prisons are not violated.

Among the measures are that the juvenile's family and the Welfare officer be informed about the arrest and initiate protocols where the magistrate will question the prosecuting officer whether the family has been contacted.

Another measure is that the juvenile should be automatically sent to a detention centre managed by the Welfare Department.

On education, the participants also agreed that residents of reform schools be given assistance and encouragement to further their education and to increase training courses or motivational training.