State to allow reformed juvenile offenders to join military

Juvenile offenders will soon be able to join the military and other disciplined forces. According to policy, no one with a criminal record can join the forces but now the State wants to change this.

The Government said it amounts to discrimination to block reformed juvenile offenders from admission to the forces.

Speaking at Shimo La Tewa Borstal Institution in Shanzu, Correctional Services Permanent Secretary Micah Bowen said many juvenile offenders undergo commendable reformation and locking them out from recruitment into the disciplined forces amounts to stigmatisation.

Director of Probation Services Jerim Oloo said reformed offenders suffer culture shock upon release.