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By Karen James
Ambassador Karen James, a prominent investigative journalist and world peace advocate, has called on the Nigerian government to establish juvenile prisons across all states to better protect and rehabilitate young offenders. Speaking at a recent event focused on youth empowerment and justice reform, Ambassador James highlighted the urgent need for specialised facilities that can provide a safe environment for children caught in criminal activities.
“These juvenile prisons should serve not only as correctional facilities but as centres for learning, skill development, and psychological support,” she stated. She emphasised that many young offenders are products of difficult socio-economic circumstances, and without the proper interventions, they risk becoming entrenched in a cycle of crime.
Ambassador James stressed that current practices often place young offenders in adult prisons, where they face harsher treatment and are deprived of opportunities for meaningful rehabilitation. Developing juvenile-specific correctional center, according to her, would offer these children a second chance to reform and reintegrate into society with new skills and a sense of purpose.
In her appeal, Ambassador James called for immediate action from both the government and private sector to fund and prioritise juvenile justice reform, noting that the future of Nigeria's youth depends on the provision of safe, supportive environments where they can learn, grow, and leave behind a life of crime.
“By investing in juvenile prisons and rehabilitation programs, we are investing in the future of our nation. These children need guidance, not punishment, and we must step up to provide the necessary tools for their transformation,” she concluded.