Team Herald

PANJIM: About five years after the Levinson Martins inquiry report was submitted to the government, the Directorate of Women & Child Development is yet to implement some crucial recommendations it had made.

The recommendations included checking and frisking of staff and visitors, ban on the use of mobile phones, strengthening security around Apna Ghar, illumination around the campus and dormitories, clearing of wild vegetation, separate infrastructure for boys and girls, additional security at the main gate and night watchman, proper food for children and basic amenities in place.

The department claimed that some recommendations have been implemented while those with long-term goals are in the process.

“Juvenile delinquents and those in need of care and protection are lodged separately. Similarly, girl and boy inmates are also lodged in separate areas,” said an officer stating separate buildings for inmates in conflict with law and those in need of care and protection was mentioned in the report.

With the commissioning of the renovated institutional complex of Apna Ghar, sources said, the boys would be shifted to ensure there is no easy contact with the girl inmates.

However, certain other recommendations are yet to see the light of day with the newly appointed WCD Director Deepak Desai assuring to implement at the earliest. “We will soon have a two-tier security around the complex and frisking of visitors at the entrance,” he said, conceding that some of the safety measures have not yet been enforced.

The department is also contemplating increasing the strength of the security guards and providing caretakers with a whistle and torch. It is learnt that the department will tie up with Goa Human Resource Development Corporation to provide trained security guards.

The 2012-report had pointed out some lapses in the security. A caretaker had disclosed to the inquiry officer that the aftercare boys would supply the banned products to boys lodged under the Juvenile Justice Board through windows.

The government claims that the infrastructure has been strengthened to avoid contact with the outside people while they are lodged in the home.

During the inquiry it was also found that the caretakers allowed use of their mobile phones to contact people outside to arrange the juveniles’ escape. “…(naming two boys) shared they escaped on various occasions. They were allowed by caretaker Manuel, Jayprakash, Sachin and Ghanshyam to use their mobile to contact person outside Apna Ghar. They also shared that Videsh allowed his Facebook to get message from outside…” the report had stated, mentioning how inmates planned escapes by arranging ‘gas cutters’, clothes and vehicles. Contact numbers were also shared through Facebook.

As on date, a total of four boys and three girls are lodged under the Juvenile Justice Board while six boys and 13 girls are under the Child Welfare Committee. With the government in the process of recruiting regular counselors, 10 intern (full time) counselors are presently assisting the staff.

Desai said the department is likely to come up with the concept of “Father” and “Mother” for boy and girl inmates.