Officials to check health condition of inmates, facilities at Child Care Institutions in A.P.

Decision follows a rise in sexual harassment and suspicious death cases; about 7,000 children are staying in 925 CCIs in State

Officials of various government departments will conduct joint inspections in the Child Care Institutions (CCIs) in the State and verify the condition of the inmates.

Following the directions of the Juvenile Justice Committee (JJC) of the AP High Court, and Director of Women Development and Child Welfare Department, the joint teams are preparing to check the children’s homes.

About 850 CCIs, 46 Bala Sadans, 14 Sishu Gruhas, nine Observation Homes for boys and girls and two special homes are providing shelter to more than 7,000 children in the State.

Courts, Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and the officers concerned refer the Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP), the Children in Conflict with Law (CCL), orphans, semi-orphans and poor children to the CCIs, including Orphanage Homes, Open Shelters and Observation Homes run by the government and NGOs.

Following a rise in the cases of sexual harassment, suspicious deaths of minors and other undesirable activities in some CCIs, the JJC has expressed concern and directed the officials to inspect the homes and submit a report.

Teams comprising Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs), District Child Protection Officers (DCPOs), Protection Officers (POs), Regional Inspector of Probation, District Probation Officers, Legal-cum-Probation Officers of DCPUs and other staff of the Juvenile Welfare, Correctional Services and Welfare of Street Children will visit the homes.