Reasons for Delay in Implementing 2019 Legislative Changes to Include Suspects Aged 16 and 17 Within Juvenile Justice System
Ministry of Social and Family DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the delay in implementing 2019 legislative changes to include 16 and 17-year-olds in the juvenile justice system, as raised by Ms Sylvia Lim. Minister Masagos Zulkifli B M M explained that the delay stems from necessary infrastructure upgrades and programme enhancements needed to manage a 40% increase in youth home residents. These works must be conducted within 24-hour secure facilities while ensuring tailored post-secondary educational and vocational pathways through collaborations with various ministries and agencies. Efforts are focused on integrating older youths safely without compromising the rehabilitation of younger residents through redesigned curriculum and interventions. Consequently, these legislative changes are expected to come into effect in early 2025.
Transcript
65 Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what are the reasons why the Youth Courts are still not ready to implement the legislative changes passed in 2019 to include youth suspects aged 16 and 17 within its juvenile justice system; and (b) what are the limitations that have contributed to this delay.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The extension of Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) Youth Home Orders to older youths aged 16 to below 18 cannot be implemented without considering infrastructure, programme and curriculum changes.
When the legislative changes are brought into effect, we expect to cater to 40% more youths in MSF's Youth Homes. Existing facilities have to be enhanced to accommodate older youths safely and without compromising the rehabilitation of the younger youths. Works also have to be carried out on a secure facility that continues to operate 24 hours a day and seven days a week. New rehabilitation programmes have to be designed or existing ones enhanced in order to provide effective intervention.
The older youths also have different education requirements, as most will be in the post-secondary phase. Facilities have to be prepared so that they can be offered an adequate range of academic and vocational offerings. MSF has been working with the Ministry of Education, Institute of Technical Education, polytechnics, SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore. We are making good progress and expect the legislative changes to come into effect in early 2025.