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| Graph of juveniles reported for crimes for 2019 to 2021 |
In Albania every year more and more juveniles are involved in crimes. Until the age of 14, they do not bear legal responsibility, but the denunciations against them in the prosecutor's office are increasing.
In 2021, 744 juveniles were reported to the prosecutor's office, over 41% more than a year earlier. About 1/3 of them have been sent for trial, according to the General Prosecutor's Office, Euronews reports.
"The most common alternative to punishment is when the juvenile must maintain contact with the probation service and fulfill other obligations such as continuing school, not to be sugared by certain persons who negatively affect or stay in the apartment at certain times," said Klaudia Hasanllari to local media, director of the Center for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency.
The Probation Service is the institution that oversees the implementation of non-prison sentences handed down by the court for young people aged 14-18.
In 2021, 152 juveniles were supervised, 49 more than a year earlier. Theft and driving illegally are the crimes they have committed most often during 2020-2021.
Underage girls are also becoming more involved in crime, mainly in theft and drug trafficking.
The data show that despite the punishment, a part of the juveniles returns to the crime.
"It is a known phenomenon but in the cases, we are treating now as a center we have had only 2. Mainly drug trafficking and theft because they are acts that are not only related to the desire of the juvenile but also to the influence of criminal groups and their use against children or the social circle", said Hasanllari.