Why are children aged 11-17 still detained with adults while younger children get separate facilities?

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Children Aged 11-17 Remain Detained with Adults Due to Current Limitations of the Baitul Mahabbah Initiative

Children aged 11 to 17 continue to be detained in immigration detention centres alongside adult detainees, as the current Baitul Mahabbah initiative exclusively caters to children aged 10 and below. There is no information available suggesting any immediate or future plans to extend the separate facilities to this older age group. This situation means that a significant cohort of minors remain within the general immigration detention system, which is governed by strict immigration laws and procedures.
Baitul Mahabbah's Current Age Restriction

The Baitul Mahabbah initiative, launched a year ago, was specifically designed to provide a more humane and conducive environment for children. However, its scope has been limited to children aged 10 years and younger. As of July 2024, 170 children were housed in these centres nationwide. While the Ministry of Home Affairs intends to expand the number of Baitul Mahabbah centres to 6 by December 2024 and establish at least six more in 2025, these expansions do not appear to include provisions for older children.
Older Children's Continued Detention with Adults

Consequently, children aged 11 to 17 years old are not benefiting from the separate facilities established under Baitul Mahabbah. Instead, they remain within the standard immigration detention centres. These centres are known to house individuals of all ages, meaning these older children are detained in close proximity to adult detainees. This practice persists despite concerns raised about the detrimental mental and physical impact of detention on children's well-being, growth, and development, as highlighted by clinical studies.
Lack of Stated Rationale for Age Exclusion

The provided information does not offer a specific reason or justification for why children aged 11 to 17 are excluded from the Baitul Mahabbah initiative or why they continue to be detained with adults. Similarly, there is no mention of any evaluation conducted to assess the benefits of the Baitul Mahabbah centres for children's well-being or their efficiency as a resource. The focus of expansion plans appears to be on increasing the number of facilities rather than broadening their age inclusivity.

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Why are children aged 11-17 still detained with adults while younger children get separate facilities?

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