Juvenile homes need more legal probation officers

Proposal to increase their number has been submitted

In focus: The number of children who need to be supervised are more in the State and each are different, according to an official of the Department of Social Defence. File photo

The Department of Social Defence has submitted a proposal to the Centre to increase the number of Legal-cum-Probation Officers in the State. The department has sought to have more than one such officer in every district to help provide adequate support and successfully rehabilitate the juveniles in conflict with law.

“These officers have a very crucial role to play in rehabilitating and reviewing activities of the juveniles in conflict with law and implement the individual child care plans,” said a senior official from the Department.

According to the Integrated Child Protection Scheme, a Legal-cum-Probation Officer should have a legal background and a good understanding of child rights and protection issues.

The officer is responsible for providing free legal aid services to the juveniles and necessary support to the Child Welfare Committees and Juvenile Justice Boards (JJB) in legal matters relating to all children coming under the purview of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015 as and when required.

Children’s need

It is mandated that every district has a maximum of three such officers based on the geographical spread and children population.

Tamil Nadu currently has 21 officers to supervise activities of these children spread across 32 districts. Eleven more are reportedly in the process of being appointed but officials claim that it is not enough. “The number of children who need to be supervised are more and each are different. We need more such officers to pay them adequate attention so they can be successfully mainstreamed into society. We hope the government sanctions more appointments,” the official said.

The responsibilities of a Legal-cum-Probation Officer also include collecting and compiling data on dimensions of the juvenile delinquency in the district, regularly attending proceedings of the JJB and supporting them in conducting inquiries. They are also required to prepare and submit social investigation reports, maintain case files and other registers, escort juveniles to a suitable home, undertake follow-up visits of juveniles released under supervision and after release and establish linkages with voluntary sectors for facilitating rehabilitation and social reintegration of juveniles.

While child rights activists have concurred with the department over its proposal to have more such officers in the State, A. Narayanan, director, CHANGEIndia has asked to regularise these officers once appointed. “We still have atleast 50% of DCPOs and Legal-cum-Probation Officers working on a contract basis. They must all be made permanent to serve the purpose,” he said.