JEDDAH — A state of confusion and anxiety prevails among families of teenagers involved in traffic offenses when the juvenile correction facility they were being kept at transfers them to a local jail where they will serve out their terms among hardened criminals.
The correction home has decided to transfer about 50 juveniles to the jail where they will serve their sentences, which range from three days to one week, among criminals including murderers, thieves and drug addicts. Parents said this is in violation of procedures and their minor offenses do not warrant such harsh punishment. They also expressed fear about their sons mingling with criminals involved in serious cases and crimes.
Many of the teenagers spoke to Okaz/Saudi Gazette on condition of anonymity. They said they were summoned by Jeddah Traffic Department where they were all brought before a committee that issued decisions to imprison them for various periods. They were referred to correction facilities so they could serve their sentences. The teenagers said they lodged grievance petitions to absolve them of these offenses and separate them from hardened criminals.
The spokesman of the Ministry of Social Affairs branch in Makkah region Ahmed Al-Ghamdi said the correction facility is a place that receives juveniles accused of various minor offenses. They undergo rehabilitation programs. Recently, the correction facility started receiving teenagers and juveniles in traffic offenses according to binding decisions from official bodies. “The correction facility has to receive these teenagers. However, it separates teenage offenders from those accused in criminal cases in case they mingle. Arrangements have been made to separate them in the meal halls and sleeping dormitories,” he said.
Al-Ghamdi believes that it is better to issue alternative verdicts against those involved in traffic violations because imprisoning a juvenile has adverse results. “Experience has shown that this method is not fruitful.”
Commenting on the parents' observations, Director of Jeddah Traffic Department Maj. Gen. Waslallah Al-Harbi said: “On the basis of Article 67/1 of the traffic regulation executive bylaw a commission is formed to decide on traffic disputes, cases and violations. It decides on penalties against violators in offenses requiring detention. This commission meets periodically and issues decisions on traffic offenses some of which require detention according to the traffic regulation and its bylaw.”
Maj. Gen. Al-Harbi added: “Some motorists under 18 years of age are sentenced to detention so they are referred to the social correction facility according to the regulation that has specified correction facilities as places for detaining juveniles. However, those over 18 years of age are detained in the Traffic Department detention facility.” He called on families to watch their sons especially during vacation periods.
