The Government is set to initiate a juvenile rehabilitation pilot programme next month at a police training facility, ahead of the full implementation of its flagship Hope Island project aimed at reforming children involved in criminal activity.

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan announced the development during the closing ceremony of the 9th Juvenile Justice Training Programme. The temporary launch signifies the first step in delivering structured intervention for at-risk youth while the permanent rehabilitation facility is under development.

The Hope Island concept is designed to address long-standing gaps in the juvenile justice system, particularly the absence of dedicated spaces for safe and consistent rehabilitation. The Government plans to repurpose a police training centre to begin providing treatment and support to identified children through a controlled and supportive environment.

The permanent Hope Island facility will be developed on a 15-hectare site in North Thilafalhu. Once completed, it will have the capacity to accommodate up to 700 children and staff, with infrastructure to support residential care, education, skills training, healthcare, and recreational activities. The project is expected to be fully operational within two to three years.

Children enrolled in the programme will remain under state care until the age of 18. Upon completing their rehabilitation, they will be required to serve in the Maldives Police Service or other State institutions for a designated period before pursuing career paths of their choice.