Juvenile-friendly measures put Kellys home on a positive path

The steps include appointing former inmates as staff, weekly sessions with psychologist and teachers conducting non-formal education sessions. All these measures are turning out to be motivational for the inmates, according to sources.

An official of Department of Social Welfare said, “The officials are taking steps to provide an improved environment and better food. The Kellys and Chengalpattu homes have become stricter after episodes of escape incidents by inmates. There are security checks happening at the main gates, allegedly after reports of mobile phones and tobacco products being passed into the home”. 

The officer also said, “However, the gap between the staff and the children, who need care and protection, must be reduced. Instead of punishing them, they must be engaged in other constructive activities. The children will be shown short films and documentaries, besides having interactive sessions with students of social work courses”. 

Michael Valan, an assistant professor of a college and a specialist in issues related to Child Victimisation said, Last year, the home had nearly 95 boys. These boys had formed into separate gangs and clashed. Subsequently, 33 of them attempted to flee the home. Following this, the height of the compound wall of the home was increased and barbed fence was erected at the top. The staff also understood the home was over-crowded and shifted some children to the Chengalpattu facility and other homes. Now they have less than 25 and the maximum number has been fixed at 35”. 

Michael said that the fresh measures have brought discipline on the campus. “The children are trained in Yoga, they have roped in a psychologist. Similarly, a few teachers, as a free service, are also taking non-formal classes for them to break monotony”, he added.