Mexico's Guanajuato and Altamira expand adolescent reintegration programs

The Secretariat of Security and Peace in Guanajuato met with Canada’s Ministry of Justice to exchange best practices on adolescent reintegration. The discussion highlighted the state’s specialized rehabilitation centre attached to the Juvenile Specialized Detention Center, which can serve 25 youths, has facilities such as a sports court and sauna, and has treated 224 adolescents over 17 cohorts in a 100‑day voluntary addiction program. The centre recently received official accreditation from the National Commission for Mental Health and Addictions.

In Altamira, the municipal DIF partnered with the volunteer youth group to run an aromatic‑candle workshop for women incarcerated at the Centro de Ejecución de Sanciones. Participants learned basic candle‑making techniques, receiving supplies and personal hygiene items donated by community groups, as well as diapers and a toy for one inmate’s child. Both initiatives aim to provide skills, income opportunities, and support for successful social reintegration.