By Kebba A.F. Touray
The Minister of Interior, Abdoulie Sanyang, has told the National Assembly that juvenile detention is intended not only to keep young offenders in custody but also to rehabilitate them and prepare them for a productive life after release.
Honourable Sanyang made the remarks on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, while responding to a question from the Member for Bundungka Kunda, Sulayman Jammeh, who asked whether the Ministry of Interior had rehabilitation programmes for people under the age of 18 arrested in connection with gang activity.
The minister said the Ministry, through the Gambia Prison Service, had rehabilitation programmes designed to support the reform of young offenders and help them return to society.
“The objective is not to merely keep the young offender in custody but to use the period of the detention to educate, develop skills and correct behaviour, and prepare a young person for a productive life after detention,” Mr Sanyang told the Assembly.
He said the juvenile wing was designed to provide both custody and rehabilitation for children in conflict with the law.
“The juvenile wing is designed to provide both custody and rehabilitation for children in conflict with the law, provide opportunities for education, professional development, psychosocial support, with the ultimate objective of successful integration into society,” he said.
The minister’s response outlined the role of rehabilitation in the detention of children who come into conflict with the law, with a focus on education, skills development, behavioural correction and support for their return to society.
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