Govt OKs decree against juvenile crime

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 7 - The cabinet on Thursday approved a decree cracking down on juvenile crime.
    Juvenile crime is high on the government's agenda after several recent cases that shocked the nation, including the rape of two cousins aged 10 and 12 in Caivano near Naples by a gang of youths.
    On Thursday the cabinet approved the decree that aims to address the problem through a range of measures including tougher penalties and jail time of up to two years for the parents of minors of compulsory school age caught truanting, DASPO bans, and tougher penalties for minors caught pushing small quantities of drugs, including the arrest in flagrante delicto.
    Contrary to earlier reports, it will not include a possible ban on young people convicted of certain crimes involving violence, weapons or drugs from possessing a mobile phone.
A measure against minors accessing porn sites has also been removed form the final decree.
    Juvenile offenders must pay for their crimes but they must also always be given the possibility of redeeming themselves through re-education, said Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani ahead of the cabinet meeting. (ANSA).