[Gocamino] Juvenile Justice and the Camino

[Blaroli at aol.com]

Hello you all,
In what  appears to be an innovative change in the old practice,  six 
juvenile delinquents serving time in several Galicia prisons have been granted"off 
time" to make the pilgrimage from Melide to Santiago.
Further, a juvenile court judge will accompany them as well as some educators 
and social therapists.
The youngsters, convicted of committing "crimes of violence" will have to 
return to their prisons to complete their sentence (apparently there is no 
indeterminate sentencing in Spain) ; the pilgrimage will afford them an opportunity 
to spend some time in the open air, with the hope that it will also  further 
their social rehabilitation.
This is somewhat different from the OIKNOTEN, juvenile offenders that Belgium 
sends on the pilgrimage sometimes in lieu of jail time.  While some 
first-time criminal offenders in Spain have also been given such option, they have been 
convicted of nonviolent crimes, such as possession of drugs, etc.  the six 
now on the Camino are the first ones to just be given "time off" to make the 
pilgrimage. They are expected to reach Santiago on Friday.
Since I will be in San tiago then,  I'll make it a point to attend both 
Pilgrim Masses and see whether the youngsters, or the juvenile court judge, 
participate.
Warm regards!
Rosina