The Children’s Commissioner Carmen Zammit yesterday expressed her concern over the recent trend of sending children to prison.

She pointed out that there is a lack of facilities for children who are placed under detention and that children who are sent to the Corradino Correctional Facility (CCF) are often transferred to Mount Carmel – “as though this is in their best interest”.

She urged all the stakeholders to keep in mind the spirit of the Convention for Children’s Rights that states that children require alternative methods of detention.

Mrs Zammit referred to the proposals in the Children’s Manifesto and called for alternative, specialised methods that are customised for the needs of children who commit crimes.