Children Deprived of Their Liberty. A survey among boys in the Tabrbour Detention Center (Amman/Jordan)

This study highlights the conditions that children from central and southern Jordan experience while being in contact with the justice system and their views on the conditions they are subjected to. It illustrates the results of a survey conducted among 34 young detainees of the Tabrbour Detention Center during the time from 5 July and 29 August 2012. The survey included about 90% of the juveniles that were held in Tabrbour during the above mentioned timeframe. The survey is based on a questionnaire of 53 questions and interviews were conducted by the Terre des Homme psychologist, who works at Tabrbour. The survey results show a high prevalence of poverty and insufficient school education among detained children. Only four out of ten detained children attended school in the grade according to their age. 38% of them are illiterate, 30% are working children and 83% come from families that live under the official poverty line. According to the children’s reports, the treatment of children during police interrogation and custody is characterized by numerous violations of their rights. A significant number of children reported being held in custody together with adults, excessive duration of custody, absence of parents or other persons of trust during interrogations and the use of violence and intimidation to coerce confessions. Finally, this report stresses the necessity to develop appropriate forms of education for children in contact with the justice system, such as literacy classes, informal education and vocational training. Indeed, these are considered effective tools to ensure crime prevention and reintegration.