This Life Without Bars (TLWB) is an innovative program by This Life that offers an alternative to incarceration for young people who have committed nonviolent crimes. Focused on a community-based approach, TLWB emphasizes education and learning, helping participants avoid the negative impacts of an overcrowded prison system. The program integrates these young people back into their communities, maintaining essential social ties and promoting personal development.
Detention should be a last resort for children and distressingly it isn't. Detention can have a lasting impact on a child's physical and mental health, family relations and their socio-economic prospects. There are currently approximately 1800 children in adult prisons in Cambodia. These children often living in poverty, lack of housing, education and employment opportunities have made poor life choices. However, all children deserve to have the opportunity to thrive and contribute to society.
This Life's research confirms the most effective way to help children in the justice system is to keep them out of prison. Our TLWB program will do that, by promoting diversion and alternatives to imprisonment and supporting children's rehabilitation within their community. We will provide vocational training, counselling, drug & alcohol programs. Children are the future of society and we should be supporting and encouraging each and every one to play a positive role in their local community.
By providing alternatives for misdemeanor offences and keeping children out of prison, they will have hope, opportunity and choice when considering their futures. Family members will benefit from the program including counselling, legal assistance, and other services identified as their needs and family relationships are maintained. Government and judiciary will gain further knowledge and actively promote and implement diversion frameworks and guidelines, thereby leading to systemic change.
