Annual Evaluation Report

Reaching Out to Juvenile Prisoners in Central Jail

Peshawar through Engagement of Prison Authorities and
Relevant Stakeholders
(August 2018-March 2019)

Terre des hommes

Submitted by:

Musa Baig – a freelance consultant (monitoring, evaluations, and researches)

Table of Contents
1. Study Objective.............................................................................................................................2
2. Study Design and Methodology.....................................................................................................3
2.1. Approach...............................................................................................................................3
2.2. Desk Review and Secondary Data Analysis..........................................................................3
2.3. Primary Data Collection........................................................................................................3
Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).................................................................................................3
Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)....................................................................................................4
3. Data Collection, Management and Analysis..................................................................................4
4. Findings.........................................................................................................................................4
4.1. Appropriateness of the project...............................................................................................5
4.2. Efficiency..............................................................................................................................5
4.3. Effectiveness, impact and sustainability................................................................................6
5. Conclusion and Recommendations................................................................................................7

1. Study Objective
Overall objective: The overall objective is to provide an independent external analysis of the project
relevance, efficiency, effectiveness and to understand the perspective of stakeholders & beneficiaries.

Specific objective:
1. To provide feedback to Tdh and its local partner on the soundness (defined as relevance,
effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability) of their approach in the Juvenile Justice Project
2. Analysis of project Stakeholders and beneficiaries perspective on the need and relevance of
the project
3. To develop quality Case studies and Success stories (at least one each)

2. Study Design and Methodology

2.1. Approach

This study has been conducted in the project implementation areas in Peshawar district. Primary data
has been collected through qualitative methods. However, secondary data has also been reviewed to
triangulate insights from primary data collection.
Qualitative methods have been used for the data collection of the study. In addition secondary data
was analyzed for triangulation of qualitative data. Open ended questionnaires has been developed for
each set of research participants in consultation with the client.

The key participants of the exercise were juvenile prisoners, relevant authorities of juvenile justice
system and juvenile networks. It was planned to conduct interviews with parents of juvenile prisoners,
but we could not manage to do it due to several reasons.

Similarly, consultations and interviews were conducted with TDH staff, partner’s key staff, provincial
authorities etc.

2.2. Desk Review and Secondary Data Analysis

The following data set will be reviewed for developing methodology, designing research tools
determining sampling and triangulation of findings from qualitative data

- Project proposal, budget, Logframe

- Partnership agreement
- Annual Plan of Action
- Monthly, Interim and Final Reports
- Tdh’s Safeguarding Policy
- Researches, beneficiary feedback and case studies, if applicable
- Legislation, policies and strategies regarding juvenile justice system
-

2.3. Primary Data Collection

Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)

FGD was conducted with a group of juvenile prisoners in the central jail of Peshawar using child
participatory techniques. However, we could not manage to meet children who were released from
prison due to their unknown locations.
Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)

KIIs have been conducted with authorities of juvenile. KIIs have been conducted with senior level jail
staff (i.e. director, jail superintendent etc.) and staff who received training (jail authorities, payroll
officers etc.). In addition, KIIs have also been conducted with relevant staff of client and partner.

Name Position
Muallim Jan Provincial Director Probation
Waqas Khan Assistant Superintendent of Peshawar Central
Prison
Shehroz Khan Deputy Superintendent Central Prison Peshawar
Bilal Khan Child Protection Officer, CPU Peshawar
Riaz Khan Senior Probation Officer
Zahid Senior Probation Officer
Jahanzeb Khan Project Manager SPARC
Sajjad Cheema Executive Director SPARC
Ishfaq Anwar Program Manager TdH
Naveeda Probation officer
Suhail Akhtar Project officer SPARC

3. Data Collection, Management and Analysis

The consultant will administer all interviews with direct beneficiaries and all relevant stakeholders.
The Qualitative information will be categorized under each discussion topic and theme. Data analysis
will then be done using a framework of analysis. The framework of analysis will be revised when
additional themes and sub-issues emerged from the data. Quantitative data from secondary and
primary sources will be analyzed and triangulated with qualitative insights.
 4. Findings

4.1. Appropriateness of the project

The project was relevant to the needs of juvenile prisons which was endorsed by juvenile children and
prison authorities as they noted that the support provided through project was according to their
needs. The consulted stakeholders indicated a significant gap in recreation, learning and health
services for juvenile in the prison. The project has been instrumental in filling gaps in services and
addressing aforementioned juvenile needs. It is noted that project activities were designed to address
children’s learning and recreation and health needs. For instance, indoor sports items were provided to
ensure that children engage positively and spend their time on recreation and learning. It is noted that
prison authorities provided ample time to juvenile prisoners thus giving them opportunities to reform
themselves. Children’s involvement in these activities was needed since children lived in an
environment where they used to involve in unhealthy activities like exchange bad names for each
other, engage in unhealthy disagreements leading to brawls.

Informal technical education like mobile repairing was yet another educational intervention which
was highly relevant to the needs of juvenile prisoners. This has significantly made possible for
children to acquire technical skills which would help them to seek opportunities for earning once they
are released and join their families. Furthermore, children’s involvement in learning activities
maximized their positive engagement and minimized risk of children getting into unhealthy activities.

Activities related health services were relevant to the needs of juvenile prisoners. This was largely
due low quality accommodation in prison which resulting in children being at risk of falling prey to
communicable diseases. For instance, project organized medical camps within prison for treatment of
scabies which was prevalent in prism and needed urgent attention. And other minor health issues
were also addressed. In addition, health and hygiene kits along with sensitization were according to
the needs of children.

To give orientation to jail authorities on techniques of dealing with children. Jail authorities were of
the view that junior jail staff didn’t properly know how to deal with children. And it was felt that they
should be oriented on child sensitive and friendly approaches. For instance, junior jail staff often used
to call children’s barrack – where children are accommodated, as munda khana. Findings of the study
revealed that prison staff did not consider juvenile prisoners worthy of respect and there was a
perception that working for wellness and development of juvenile prisoners would be futile exercise
and irrelevant. There was a mindset in jail staff that criminals didn’t deserve such treatment and
would it would be unnecessary to work for the betterment of children through education and
activities. So therefore, training and sensitization workshops were highly relevant to the needs of
capacity development and sensitization of prison staff.

Probation staff, though considered training and orientation according to their needs, nevertheless, they
identified that district level officers should also be trained on financial management.

Though, recreational and learning activities were relevant according to the need of children. However,
discussion with jail authorities and other government stakeholders identified multiple needs of
children which should have been part of the project. For instance, addressing psychosocial needs of
children and rehab services for children is essential for the betterment of children. In addition, there
was a need to include formal education for children.

4.2. Efficiency
Project activities contributed greatly to bring about ownership of jail authorities who often are not
receptive to new innovations. Similarly, project staff some of decisions to modify some of activities
during implementation proved to efficient and it greatly contributed to bring about acceptance for
project. For instance, an activity was planned to organize medical camps on a monthly basis, but this
activity was rightly readjusted on the request of jail authorities to handle an outbreak of scabies in
juvenile section of jail. Consequently, medical camps were organized on weekly basis which resulted
in control of the epidemic. It also indicates project’s readiness for emergency response.

Hiring of staff who had relevant experience of such projects and having exposure of working with
government was an efficient approach which resulted in successful implementation of the project. It is
also worthy to note that provincial management of partner organization proactively engaged with
government including jail authorities, probation departments and legislation. As a result, a good
working relationship was developed and activities were smoothly carried out. Discussion with jail
authorities and probation staff revealed that they demonstrated ownership towards project. The partner
organization was rightly chosen for this project due to its long association and expertise of working on
juvenile system in the country. Provincial probation director and senior prison authorities
acknowledged the partner organization’s contribution in strengthening juvenile system including
probation department.

The project was designed and was according to the need of juvenile children and stakeholders’
capacity development needs. However, it was observed that project lacked exist plan and was not
appropriately envisaged. In addition, it was noted that little efforts have been made to execute plans
for sustainability. Discussion with staff of funding agency revealed that project was piloted and phase
2 of the project would be executed based on learning from the pilot project.

Also project design was appropriate based on available financial resources, nonetheless, it missed to
include other important development components of juvenile system including psycho-social services,
rehabilitation services and formal learning and development.

Though partner staff made all out efforts for implementation of the project, developing coordination
and relationship with authorities, nevertheless, and its efforts in lobbying at highest level did not yield
much results. For instance, their efforts to bring juvenile system under probation were not successful.

Though majority of activities were successfully completed but owing to closure of the project when
some activities like technical training etc. were not completed. Discussion with jail authorities clearly
indicate that exist plan of the project was not shared with them.

Juvenile networks, as part of social infrastructure, were essential to contribute sustainability of project
gains through lobbying and advocacy for legislation for strengthening juvenile system. Findings
suggest that functionality of juvenile networks was not up to the mark.

Stakeholders highlighted that project duration i.e. 8-9 months was not sufficient to address all its
objectives to be met. They also noted that ongoing capacity building or sensitization related activities
need to be given appropriate time.

4.3. Effectiveness, impact and sustainability

Discussion with children as well jail authorities revealed that due to children’s engagement with
learning and recreational activities, children’s behavior has positively changed. Discussion with
children as well jail authorities revealed that children spent ample time on recreation which resulted
and they little time left for them to engage in unhealthy activities like engaging in brawls, exchanging
bad names. The level of children’s involvement in conflicts and engaging in brawls have been
substantially minimized.

Jail authorities believed that since children were positively engaged in learning and recreational
activities, children are expected to give up using drugs once they are released.

It is also noted that children’s enthusiasm to participate in recreation and learning activities
demonstrates a substantial behavioral change, especially towards learning. For instance, the consulted
children in prison called for formal education classes in prison. This clearly indicates positive changes
in juvenile prisoners who are imprisoned for variety of offenses. Children said that they are now
enthusiastic to go to school once they are released from prison, nevertheless, which according to
them, would provide a basis for them to get enroll in formal schools once they are released from
prison. Moreover, a number of children, who were enrolled in formal schools before imprisonment,
believed that initiation of formal learning classes will be helpful in addressing gaps in their formal
schooling caused by their impressment. They noted that they could be easily adjusted in their schools
once they are released from the prison.

Skill education not only equipped children with skills which would ultimately benefit them in
pursuing income earning activities but provided them an opportunity to positively engage. This could
minimize risks of children’s involvement in unhealthy activities.

Jail authorities shared that their junior staff are sensitized on rights of children due to project’s
orientation and sanitization workshops. Previously, they were not convinced to accept juvenile
prisoners’ rights. However, it seems very challenging to bring about behavioral changes in staff who
often followed orthodox mindset that convicted or alleged criminals did not deserve rights. However,
it is encouraging that they are sensitized regarding importance of juvenile rights. This change could
also be linked to induction of highly educated officers in police and prison system who are well
sensitized regarding human rights, especially rights of children. Senior jail authorities appreciated
contribution of the project but also noted induction of educated youth on key prison positions also
contributed to bring about awareness in jail staff.

Citing examples of sensitization towards children’s rights, senior jail authorities reported that jail staff
call children by their proper names. Authorities shared that jail field staff used to call them by their
insulating nicknames before their sensitization.

5. Conclusion and Recommendations

The pilot project for strengthening juvenile justice system made hands-on solutions to some of issues
that juvenile prisoners were facing. The project staff used efficient approaches including coordination
and advocacy to achieve projects results. It is commendable that project developed linkages and
working relationships with government authorities to address complex issues related to juvenile
system. It is also great contribution of the project to change perception of stakeholders towards rights
of juvenile through training and sensitization. Recreation and learning activities contribute to
children’s development. Besides, project’s input has also been instrumental in improving health and
hygiene conditions of juvenile prisoners.
However, lobbying and advocacy activities of the project were mainly focussed at operational site.
Lobbying and advocacy to impact legislation or implementation of existing laws did not yield
substantial results. Likewise, project was unable to innovate partnership, which could be helpful in
mobilizing resources and maximize its project’s impact. Partnership and linkages were essential to
explore resources to address many issues which could have not be addressed owing project’s limited
financial resources. It may not possible for a project with limited scope to address a system that has
deep-rooted anomalies.
The following recommendations are made based on findings and observations;
It is suggested that phase 2 of the project should include formal classroom learning activities. This is
demanded and suggested by the consulted children and jail authorities. The consulted juvenile
prisoners said that formal education would enable them to catch up the gap caused by their
imprisonment. A number of children who have never been to school or left their formal education
noted that formal education would prepare them for getting enrolled in formal schooling once they are
released from the prison.

It is observed that project was phased out without completing some of the planned activities resulting
in a gap in project implementation. The funding agency (TdH) is committed to initiate phase 2 of the
project, it is suggested that an effective work plan should be devised before its implementation so
anomalies could be avoided during implementation. It is understandable that disruption in some of
activities may also be linked to some unforeseen circumstance, it is suggested that phase 2 of the
project should evaluate risk before going into action. It is also important that during design and
implementation stage, relevant stakeholders should be consulted regarding risks associated with the
project.

Jail authorities, though, are well aware of making juvenile an effective system to provide
opportunities children inmates to develop themselves through learning and recreation activities,
however, they believe that they should be opportunities for exposure visits to model prisons with best
juvenile system in and outside of the country so that they could learn from learning and experiences
from others. It is recommended that phase 2 of the project should arrange such exposure visits through
using potential collaborations. For this, partnership with national and international agencies for cost
sharing could be a best option for making this happen.

It is suggested that phase 2 of the project should pay greater attention on learning and rehabilitation of
juvenile prisoners. For example, the project should demonstrate a comprehensive package for juvenile
support which may include induction of psychologists, doctors and teachers so that children’s issues
related psychosocial, health and learning issues could be addressed. Project should collaborate with
institutions who are known for aforementioned expertise for providing all-inclusive support to
juvenile prisoners.

Jail authorities reported drug addiction in juvenile prisoners, it is suggested that phase 2 of the project
should also focus on this issue. Partnership and collaboration with government and private entities
could help address this issue. Project should collaborate with public sector as well private
organizations to initiate activities related to drug rehabilitation services.

Jail is not appropriate place for children. For this, during the next phase of the project, there is a need
to pay greater on lobbying at highest level to legislate and implement probation system for juvenile
prisoners. Through improving probation system, attitudinal changes in children could be brought
about since this system will allow children to learn and develop themselves. Attitudinal changes
coupled with learning will minimize children’s involvement in offenses once they are released.

Both children as well as jail authorities highlighted the need for formal education for juvenile
prisoners. It is suggested that formal education should be part of next phase of the project. It is noted
that at small scale, jail authorities arrange a few classes for children using qualified adult prisoners.
Phase 2 of the project program should scale up this approach and run formal classes using child-
sensitive approaches and protection.
The functionality of Juvenile networks is not up to the marks. These social networks were envisaged
to contribute project in lobbying and advocacy for making juvenile system strengthened. It is hereby
suggested that project’s next phase should pay greater attention on strengthening juvenile networks.