Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Farce in reforms’ name” (October 8). The editorial raises several questions on the management of juvenile reform facilities and questions the ‘light’ punishment that juveniles get even for heinous crimes like rape and murder. The common view is that, in such serious crimes, juveniles must be treated as adults and given punishment that an adult convict would get. But another fact mentioned in the editorial remains untouched: What must be the treatment of these juveniles in the reform homesIJ
Reform prisons not only rehabilitate the little criminals but also protect them, since they are in need of care.
But, yes, owing to the difference between the categories of juveniles who are minor criminals and those that have been hardened, the two have to be treated separately.