NCJ Number
100059
Journal
Social Defence Quarterly Volume: 29 Issue: 75 Dated: (January 1984) Pages: 5-10
Date Published
1984
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This critical review of India's Children Act 1960 argues that its provisions should be amended to eliminate the act's penal nature and instead address social welfare problems that contribute to delinquency.
Abstract
Socioeconomic and environmental conditions may be considered as root causes that influence children to become delinquent, neglected, or destitute. The new juvenile penology on reformative ideals can take the form of individual case work or institutional treatment, both of which emphasize counseling and education. While this approach influenced the Children Act 1960, drawbacks in its provisions and implementation have made it a penal law only. For example, procedures followed by authorities in the trials of delinquent children are penal in nature and similar to adult courts. The provision that a person with special knowledge in child psychology and welfare be appointed to the Children's Court is not strictly followed. Contrary to the law, children are often detained in adult jails, their trials are usually conducted in open court, and their photographs may be published in public places. The paper outlines 11 suggestions for reforming the act so it can achieve its intended reformative goals.