A new European-funded project, Second Chance: Empowering First Time Offenders, was launched at a press conference. The project aims to create a change in the behaviour and lives of young people who have run afoul of justice.
Such support should help these young people not to repeat the mistakes they have made and an opportunity to turn the course towards a good life without any danger to themselves or others. With a financial allocation of more than three million euros, this collaborative work will be giving these young people the chance to reach their full potential and thus make a positive contribution to society.
During the launch of the project, the Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights, Michael Falzon stated, “Young people are the present and future of society, and therefore we must prioritize the needs of this population. This must be done with respect towards the society that gave that person a chance to reform.”
The Chief Executive of FSWS, Alfred Grixti, said that the project will be focusing primarily on four themes: Outreach and prevention, focused and specialized interventions on the case, active inclusiveness and strengthening collaboration between all parties. He closed his speech by saying that young people are the future of society and it is important that we prioritize what is necessary for the Maltese people.
Remenda Grech, Director of Alternative Care within FSWS, spoke about the work of this project and how useful it will be for those who make use of it. “This project will provide an opportunity for various stakeholders, including the FSWS, the police, the drugs tribunal, the prison and the local regions to work together to offer a holistic plan for those young people with behavioural problems and first time offenders.” .
