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4. staffing issues
33.
The custody and care of juveniles deprived of their liberty is a particularly
challenging task. The staff called upon to fulfil that task should be carefully selected for their
personal maturity and ability to cope with the challenges of working with - and safeguarding
the welfare of - this age group. More particularly, they should be committed to working with
young people, and be capable of guiding and motivating the juveniles in their charge. All such
staff, including those with purely custodial duties, should receive professional training, both
during induction and on an ongoing basis, and benefit from appropriate external support and
supervision in the exercise of their duties.
Moreover, the management of such centres should be entrusted to persons with
advanced leadership skills, who have the capacity to respond in an effective manner to the
complex and competing demands placed upon them, both by juveniles and by staff.
5. contact with the outside world
34.
The CPT attaches considerable importance to the maintenance of good contact with
the outside world for all persons deprived of their liberty. The guiding principle should be to
promote contact with the outside world; any restrictions on such contacts should be based
exclusively on security concerns of an appreciable nature or considerations linked to available
resources.
The active promotion of such contacts can be especially beneficial for juveniles
deprived of their liberty, many of whom may have behavioural problems related to emotional
deprivation or a lack of social skills.
The CPT also wishes to stress that a juvenile's contact with the outside world should
never be restricted or denied as a disciplinary measure.
6. discipline
35.
Places where juveniles may be deprived of their liberty almost invariably make
provision for disciplinary sanctions to be applied to inmates who misbehave.
In this connection, the CPT is particularly concerned about the placement of
juveniles in conditions resembling solitary confinement, a measure which can compromise
their physical and/or mental integrity. The Committee considers that resort to such a measure
must be regarded as highly exceptional. If juveniles are held separately from others, this
should be for the shortest possible period of time and, in all cases, they should be guaranteed
appropriate human contact, granted access to reading material and offered at least one hour of
outdoor exercise every day.
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