CHAPTER 5 VIEWS AND PERSPECTIVES OF CHILDREN DEPRIVED OF LIBERTY d. Recreation and Leisure Many children in justice settings reported having access to sports and recreation activities/ facilities, finding this both useful and enjoyable. Some commented favourably on specific organisations that offered activities (often arts based or creative) to them, particularly those external to the institution: ‘We like when people from outside come and work with us’. (M/16-2/1:EEG) ‘xxx [charitable organisation] provides us sport and recreation. It is very interesting for us and we enjoy it. It is useful for us’. (M/15-17/1:APG) ‘There are sport activities that can be organised according to the common will of the group. There are available facilities for every activity such as football, basketball, volleyball or gym’. (M/15-18/1:EEG) ‘xxx [charitable organisation] helps to have a safe and healthy environment, freedom of movement, and performance of physical exercises and recreational activities for children’. (F/12-18/1:AFG) Overall, children spoke favourably about having opportunities for sports and leisure. Suggestions for improvement generally related to a greater choice of activities, having more time for sports and leisure and better/more equipment or larger spaces: ‘The access to sport facilities is restricted for two days per week. It is not enough. We would like to stay longer at the sport activities, since in the rooms there is nothing to do’. (M/15-17/1:EEG) Likewise, many children talked about boredom and long periods of inactivity. One young person described his period of immigration detention as ‘just eat and sleep, like an animal’ (M/19/3:WEOG). He described it as ‘a silent place’ with no social or Internet connections. Additionally, children with disabilities who were/had been in orphanages noted that access varied. Some undertook a range of activities while others appeared to be offered none: ‘We had different activities, but not for everyone. Many did not have wheelchairs. Some laid in bed all the time. They couldn’t go anywhere’. (MF/18+/4:EEG) 92