- The new centre, established by the Community Development Authority, aims to provide a safe space for rehabilitating juvenile delinquents.
- Collaborative rehabilitation programs are designed to help youth transform and reintegrate into society.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, officially opened the ‘SOUN Centre for Care and Rehabilitation’ today in Dubai.
Founded by the Community Development Authority (CDA), the centre is dedicated to creating a secure environment for rehabilitating juvenile delinquents and guiding them toward positive life changes. This initiative aligns with the Dubai Social Agenda 33, focusing on building a proactive and effective social system for protection, care, and empowerment.
During the opening ceremony, attended by His Excellency Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai, His Highness learned about the centre’s vital role in enhancing cooperation among key agencies involved in juvenile judicial and administrative processes.
These include the Family and Juvenile Prosecution, Dubai Police, and Dubai Courts. Collaborating with organizations like the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai Health Authority, UAE Ministry of Education, Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai Municipality, Dar Al Ber Society, and ENOC Group, the centre offers extensive rehabilitation programs aimed at supporting youth transformation and reintegration.
Her Excellency Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the CDA, emphasized the importance of creating a safe environment for court-sentenced juveniles to ensure their rehabilitation. This approach promotes personal growth, encourages positive reintegration into society, discourages harmful behaviors, and opens up new opportunities.
“The launch of the ‘SOUN Centre for Care and Rehabilitation’ shows our leaders’ commitment to providing comprehensive support for vulnerable groups. The centre fosters closer collaboration among agencies responsible for judicial and administrative measures for juveniles and offers various holistic rehabilitation programs. These programs include individual and group sessions, along with social, sports, artistic, and religious activities, all designed to facilitate the positive reintegration of juveniles and help reduce repeat offenses,” Buhumaid stated.
During the event, His Highness also witnessed the CDA formalizing cooperation agreements with four government entities the Ministry of Education, Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai Health Authority, and Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services. These agreements aim to create a sustainable and integrated system based on best practices.
The centre provides specialized support for different types of juvenile delinquents, including those awaiting trial or at risk of delinquency, as directed by judicial, parliamentary, or police authorities. With a capacity of 48 juveniles, split between boys and girls, the facility features dedicated housing, rehabilitation areas, a mosque, dining halls, playgrounds, gyms, a clinic, classrooms, a courtroom, multi-purpose halls, and administrative offices.
The Care and Rehabilitation Department at the centre is focused on assisting convicted juvenile delinquents through social and psychological support, along with behavior development, ensuring a successful reintegration after release. This department is managed by qualified specialists, including psychological and educational experts, social supervisors, and sports trainers. Additionally, the centre has a Prevention and Community Coordination Department dedicated to raising awareness in the community to prevent youth delinquency in Dubai.
Beyond its rehabilitation programs led by the CDA, the centre is also committed to advancing preventive initiatives. These include educational workshops, awareness campaigns, and comprehensive social and statistical studies that explore the factors leading to juvenile delinquency. By analyzing factors like crime hotspots, age groups, types of offenses, and gender, these studies aim to design targeted programs that effectively prevent juvenile crime in Dubai.
