Legal Aid
ACJ has established Community Correctional Centers in Lusaka (Chelstone), and Ndola (Itawa), which provide rehabilitation and reformative programmes for child offenders through the diversion program. ACJ receives referrals from the community, local Police stations and Courts for Psychosocial counseling and rehabilitation.
Each of the Correctional centers has a Legal Aid Desk that has been established for easy access to free legal advice services for the children who come into conflict with the law.
The functions of the Legal Aid Desks include:
- Advocating for swift legal proceedings by overseeing and observing the progress of unsettled juvenile cases.
- Monitoring the implementation and confirmation of court orders as well as progress made on the transportation of children to different facilities as directed.
- Establishing linkages between the Social Welfare, Judiciary, Police, and Correctional Services to facilitate the management of juvenile cases.
- Preparing Children who have come into conflict with the law for court proceedings. This involves providing them with information about their legal rights, explaining the court process and procedures, and helping them to understand the charges against them.
- This is done to ensure that children are able to participate fully in the legal process and that their rights are protected.
- Facilitation of Legal representation to help to ensure that children are not unfairly treated and that their voices are heard in court.