Move to ease children’s home security protocol

ThIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Increasing instances of inmates breaking out of the Poojappura Children's Home has forced a re-think of what has been termed its 'dictatorial' top-down functioning. The Social Justice Department has now decided to allow the inmates, mostly orphaned and abandoned children, to take over the running of the institution.

Gradually, over a period of time, any kind of security will also be done away with for the home. The home has formed 'Balasabhas' or children's committee to ensure the participation of inmates in decisions related to their care, welfare, protection and recreation. These committees, which will have inmates as members, will be reconstituted every three months.

“The children's home must promote a culture that is child-centred and encourages participation from children in all aspects of decision making,” a top social justice official said.

With the inmates becoming the masters of their own life, official control over the boys will gradually wane. Strict control is said to be the cause of the frequent escape attempts by inmates of the home.

Therefore, the strategy is to draw down security to the level possible. “Children should not feel that they are shut inside. Every child has an innate craving for freedom. If this is curtailed, a child will attempt to escape even from the confines of his own home,” the official said. "We have designed new manuals and protocols to effect gradual changes," he said.