Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan has announced that the design has been finalised for Hope Island, a rehabilitation centre for children exposed to criminal environments.
Minister Ihusaan revealed plans to establish a facility aimed at steering juvenile offenders away from crime and guiding them towards a better path on April 6. Vaani in Dhaalu Atoll has been designated as Hope Island, where these children will be rehabilitated. The Minister confirmed that the design phase is complete and that the financing model will soon be presented to the Economic Council, with work set to begin within the week.
The homeland ministry stated that Hope Island will have the capacity to accommodate and rehabilitate up to 400 children at a time. The facility will offer formal education, exercise, and skills training programmes. The children will also reside on Hope Island until they turn 18, after which they will serve a designated term with either the Maldives Police Service (MPS) or the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), before being given opportunities to pursue careers of their choice.
Additionally, the government has decided to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 12 years as part of reforms to the juvenile justice system. Under current law, criminal responsibility applies to those aged 15-18. However, Minister Ihusaan explained that the change is due to a rise in criminal activities among children aged 12-15, who have become increasingly exposed to criminal environments. He also emphasised that despite this legal adjustment, there is no intention to imprison children between the ages of 12-15.