Italian experts in the field of juvenile delinquency concluded that Montenegro has an excellent law on the treatment of minors, but also that it is necessary to organize and strengthen the institutions necessary for the application of that law.
"Social services are of essential importance, as well as competent and trained people who work with juvenile offenders and who must believe in his rehabilitation", was the order of the round table on the topic "Juvenile justice and social services in Montenegro".
From the first of September, Montenegro began to apply the new Law on treatment of minors in criminal proceedings, although not all the conditions and obligations foreseen for the beginning of the application of that law have been fulfilled.
The President of the Court for Juveniles in Rome, Melita Kavalo, gave several useful tips to her Montenegrin colleagues and assessed that the first contact of juveniles with judicial services is very important.
"The most important thing is that the child gets an answer right away, that he understands what he did, that you maybe scare him a little," said Kavalo.
She added that it is best to rely on schools and family, until everything provided for by the new law functions adequately.
"The most important thing is for the child to get an answer right away, to understand what he has done, and maybe scare him a little"
"It is necessary to keep children in schools as long as possible, because schools and the family are the context that is most responsible both for reporting and for suppressing delinquency", believes Kavalo.
The head of the Juvenile Justice Sector, Izabela Mastropasco, pointed out that it is very important to deal with the personality of minors, because it is a very important aspect in assessing the punishment. She added that good communication between social services and the judiciary is often crucial for the application of the law.
The Ambassador of Italy in Montenegro said that in previous years, minors were treated as adults, which is not good, and that the new law will achieve a much more efficient treatment of minors.
He reminded that the elderly as well as the young should be given special attention and pointed out that in our country the family takes care of the elderly, which is dying out in the Western world.
In Montenegro last year, there were about 430 proceedings in the field of juvenile delinquency, which is five percent of the total number of crimes, and the most common crimes were petty theft.
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