The Ethiopian Penal Code of 1957 stipulates the start of the age of criminal responsibility at 9 years. Children between 9-15 years are considered as minors, while children between 15- 18 years are punished as adults, although there are provisions for taking measures of mitigation, which rests on the discretion of the judge. In the Penal Code, there are two categories of measures: Ordinary Measures and Penalty. Ordinary measures may include admission to curative institutions, supervised education, reprimand and school or home arrests for young offenders.
Penalty may include fines and corporal punishment of up to 12 strokes, to be administered only if the young offender is in good health. Although the latter exists in the Penal Code, it is not being exercised.
This Case Study covers experience gained through the implementation of a Community Based Correction Programme (CBCP) in Addis Ababa for CICWL whose ages range from 9-15 years, and those who are first time and petty offenders.
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