EXPANDED SUPPORT FOR OLDER YOUTH OFFENDERS
Currently, the Youth Court only hears cases involving young offenders under 16.
“Those who are 16 years old and above who commit offences are tried as adults in the State Court or the Community Court, unless they are diverted away from the criminal justice system,” MSF noted.
Studies have shown that older youth offenders may still not have the “full cognitive maturity of adults to understand the seriousness of their offences”, the ministry said.
The Children and Young Persons Act (CYPA) was amended to also cover youths aged 16 to below 18 so that these cases can be heard in Youth Court. This is the age group with the highest likelihood of offending, MSF noted in its report.
“This allows the older youth offenders to benefit from a wider range of rehabilitation options to address their needs and reduce reoffending,” the ministry said.
These amendments take effect on Jan 1, 2025.
The move will potentially expand rehabilitation to about 50 youth offenders in this age group by end-2025, to better provide “age-appropriate rehabilitation … catered to their specific risks and needs”.
“To prepare for the intake of these older youths, MSF has made infrastructural adjustments to accommodate older youths in the MSF Youth Homes, recruited and upskilled our staff, and collaborated with educational institutions to expand the academic and vocational offerings to the residents.”
But older youths who commit more serious crimes such as certain sexual offences, unlicensed moneylending and drug trafficking may face proceedings in a court of appropriate jurisdiction, such as the State Courts.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development Eric Chua said: “I am heartened that our youth offending rate has remained low. We want our youths to stay away from crime, build positive social support systems, and learn skills to reduce reoffending.
“Our youths’ families, community partners and volunteers play an important role in these rehabilitation efforts, dedicating time and effort to steer our youths in the right direction. We are grateful to all of them for their commitment in helping our youths start anew and work towards a brighter future.”
MSF said that it will continue to work with government agencies, youths’ families and community partners to ensure that the rehabilitative needs of youth offenders are met.
It also works through the National Committee on Preventing Offending and Reoffending to support youth offenders and their families, it noted.
