Section 15: Restrictions on punishment of juveniles

15. Restrictions on punishment of juveniles (1) A juvenile under the age of 14 shall not be ordered to be imprisoned or sentenced to penal servitude for any offence, or be committed to prison in default of payment of a fine, damages or costs. (2) A young person shall not be sentenced to penal servitude for any offence. (3) A young person shall not be ordered to be imprisoned for any offence, or be committed to prison in default of payment of a fine, damages or costs, where he can be suitably dealt with in any other way, whether by recognisance to be of good behaviour and to appear for sentence when called upon, by committal to a place of detention or industrial school, or otherwise. (4) A young person sentenced to imprisonment or committed to prison in default of payment of a fine, damages or costs, shall not, as far as is practicable, be allowed to associate with adult prisoners. [S. 15 amended by Act 15 of 1998.]