الحماية الجنائية للاحداث داخل المؤسسات العقابية

Abstract

This study examined the issue of criminal protection for juveniles within penal institutions under Algerian legislation, considering juveniles as one of the social groups most in need of legal protection and care due to their incomplete psychological and mental maturity. The study aimed to highlight the extent to which modern penal policy succeeds in balancing the requirements of deterrence with the protection, rehabilitation, and social reintegration of juveniles. It also addressed the concepts of delinquent juveniles and juveniles at risk of delinquency, while emphasizing the reformative role of penal institutions, which increasingly rely on educational and rehabilitative approaches rather than traditional punitive measures. Furthermore, the study outlined the main rights guaranteed to juveniles in rehabilitation centers, particularly the rights to education, vocational training, healthcare, and psychological support, in addition to maintaining family ties and strengthening aftercare programs to reduce recidivism. The study concluded that Algerian legislation has established an advanced protective and reform-oriented legal framework; however, practical implementation still faces challenges related to overcrowding and the shortage of specialized staff, which calls for strengthening alternative sanctions and enhancing rehabilitation and social reintegration programs for juveniles