Complete data on the average time or numbers of children who are deprived of their liberty in the country is not available since pre-trial detention data is not systematically collected or centralized in the country. It is known that in 2002, 7,000 children under age 18 were sentenced for criminal activity in Romania. That represents a small increase since 2000 when 6,700 children were sentenced.
Number
of juveniles sentenced for criminal activity, in thousands (graph)
The registered juvenile crime rate in the age group 14-17 years old is very high, even higher than the registered total crime rate. In 2002, 1,535 per 100,000 juveniles were registered for crime as compared to 1,434 per 100,000 for all age groups. It is not known if the denominator for what is considered a crime in the country is the same for adults as for children.
Registered
juvenile crime rate out of registered total crime rate, per
100,000, in 2002 (graph)
The alarming increase in juvenile delinquency and the number of children deprived of liberty are of great concern. In 2005, it was known that at least 1,400 children deprived of liberty: 1,000 in penitentiaries and 400 in re-education centres. Young offenders are often housed in prisons that also house adults. Present legislation and enforcement does not adhere to the Convention on the Rights of the Child which states that detention of juveniles should be a measure of last resort. Given the lack of alternatives and lack of awareness of child rights, judges often see imprisonment as the only option. There is an urgent need for legislative and administrative frameworks to promote community justice for juveniles based on a de facto application of the provision of the international standards in the area of juvenile justice.
Resources
Juvenile justice
system in the CEE/CIS region
Source: UNICEF TransMONEE 2004, country press kit |
