BASIS IN INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS Exercise: Using the Compilation of Instruments, the trainees should work in pairs in order to discover the basis for each of these principles. Their findings should be reported back to the group. IMPLICATIONS The essential point is that children are not small adults. They are immature and need this period of development to be both instructional and inspirational if they are to achieve the status of a mature adult, able to play an independent but law-abiding role in the community. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS Present these to the trainees, allowing sufficient time for comment and discussion. TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION A list of topics is provided in the Manual. Methodology: The trainees should be divided into small groups for discussion. Each group should be given two topics to discuss, with a reporting back session at the end. Points to be highlighted/suggested areas for discussion: Children need continuity of care and control. It might be that these two essential factors break down after release into the community; 39. – The period in prison may be characterized by an acceptable measure of conformity but it is not a “real” situation. It might make response to a real situation after release that much worse, because the level of enforced control is likely to be much less; 39. – Ideally, juveniles should be kept in the community when they offend, but the measures for dealing with them must be carefully considered and implemented by talented and trained staff; 39. – Children from institutions who are sent to prison are already seriously damaged in terms of normal emotional development. They may have been rejected by their parents, even abused by them; they do not trust adults, nor do they respect them; 39. – It is unrealistic to expect these children to respond to the normal stimuli of friendliness or caring; prison staff should be forewarned of this; 39. – Time and consistency of approach offer the best chance of a positive response to the development of relationships; 39. – There is, in most jurisdictions, an age restriction on detention in prison. The case of a child who claims he is below the minimum age should be taken up with that part of the justice system which deals with juveniles; 144