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Judge questions criminal system's ability to reform those with extensive records

Criminal Court Judge Mohamed Misbah has expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the regular criminal justice system in reforming individuals with long criminal records. His comments were made in the custody order report of Mohamed Naushad, a man from Sosunge, N. Milandhoo, who has been arrested 108 times for minor offenses.

According to the report, Naushad, who was most recently arrested on theft charges, has a history of repeated offenses including drug use, theft, and various other minor crimes. While he has now been remanded in custody for 15 days for his most recent offense, Judge Misbah pointed out that despite numerous prosecutions and punishments, these actions haven't led to any reform in Naushad’s behavior.

The judge emphasized the need for a different approach, suggesting that individuals like Naushad should be isolated from society and placed in a correctional system. Such a system would focus on rehabilitation, providing such individuals with the opportunity to learn useful skills and eventually reintegrate into society as productive members, he added.