"35 000 children behind bars in South Africa"

A staggering 13 593 juveniles of the 34 905 in SA prisons, according to the Department of Correctional Services' last count this year, were either awaiting trial in connection with murder or already serving murder sentences.

KwaZulu-Natal was the worst province with 3 365 youngsters in for murder.

The 15 255 youngsters (below the age of 21) awaiting trial should have been referred to places of safety but because of the large numbers most such centres are unable to accommodate them.

In some cases parents have also rejected their children, choosing instead to let them stay on in jail. The problem has placed a huge burden on social workers and departmental officials who are battling to cope with the swelling, overcrowded cells.

Statistics from the Judicial Inspectorate of Prisons as at April this year reveal that 40% of children between seven and 17 were sentenced for aggressive crimes and 43% for economic or petty crimes.

Full Article : pretorianews.co.za