SOUTH SUDAN: 150 Inmates Released From Juvenile Court In Juba

By Debora Akur Chol South Sudan

In an effort towards reformatory decongestion in South Sudan, a mobile court in Juba has successfully facilitated the release of 150 inmates from the Juba Reformatory Prison, in December 2024.

Among the 150 released persons, 10 were girls, while the rest were boys

The court sessions, led by Judge Achok Chan Reec along with other county and High Court judges, took place from December 6th to December 31st.

The cases mainly involved minor offenses such as theft and gangsterism, which typically result in sentences of about five years.

According to judge Chan, many of the cases had been abandoned by the complainants, who failed to attend the court proceedings.

The judge emphasised that some cases were dropped after an evaluation, as the complainants were absent for long periods without valid reasons.

She also noted that communication challenges, such as phone numbers that were no longer in service, further complicated the court process.

The Judge further highlighted the importance of involving families in helping to rehabilitate juveniles.

She stressed that the court not only delivered judgments but also facilitated consultations between specialists, children, and their families to address underlying issues and reduce juvenile delinquency.

This holistic approach aimed to foster rehabilitation and reintegration into society.