Part of the PARAVAI pilot project proposed the establishment of a Drop-in centre. These should be set up in proximity to the to areas with higher concentrations of petty offenders. The centre will be managed by a qualified social worker who will provide interventions and other activities for the young, petty, first-time offenders to help them cope with their physical, socioemotional, cognitive and legal needs.
PHYSICAL
Sports Tournament
Deaddiciton
SOCIO EMOTIONAL
Counselling
Experiential Camps
COGNITIVE
Education, Skill Training and Placement
LEGAL
Awareness
Assistance
On a trial basis, a Drop-In Centre has been set up at Modern Government Higher Secondary School, Saidapet. The Drop-In Centre works from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m., everyday. On an average, 10 to 15 boys visit the centre everyday. In some cases, the judges at the Saidapet court grant conditional bail to the youngsters and they are directed to visit the drop-in centre instead of sent to the sub jail.
From 4 to 6 pm the youngsters are engaged in sports and from 6 to 8 they are given counselling and training in life skills. Once a week a legal advisor visits the centres to provide legal counselling and to educate them on the law and the effects of incarceration. Other support comes in the form of job placement and career counselling from the State Career Guidance centre. The Institute of Mental Health also gets involved when required. A teacher has been appointed to train the youngsters on spoken English. 2-3 Nodal police officers are present at the centre everyday to monitor the youngsters.
In order to get more youngsters under trial to visit the center, a community social worker visits the colony to speak to the parents and let them know the benefits of the youngsters visiting the center.
More Corporation and Government Schools are being identified to establish more Drop-In Centres in the future
