Youth riots expose shortage of juvenile detention spots and push for alternative measures
A 14-year-old arrested during the Liège riots said judges tell him there are no IPPJ places left, highlighting a systemic shortage.
In the context of one outlet probe into minors who took part in the recent Liège riots, a 14-year-old participant recounted a judge telling him that no IPPJ placements are available, implying he would have been sent there if space existed. The teenager and other youths argue that the overcrowding of IPPJ facilities creates a feeling of being above the law, a concern also raised by certain judicial officials. Despite the shortage, the justice system can still apply restorative options like Services d’Action Restauratrices et Educatives (SARE).
These programmes may be requested by the public prosecutor or the youth judge. Valériane Meyan, who leads the SARE "Le Choix" within the Namur judicial division, says SARE should be the primary recourse for magistrates when deciding on measures for young offenders.
