The Sipar Library: a resource center for juvenile inmates 

In Kandal province, the first rehabilitation center for minors opened a year ago. This unique facility in Cambodia was created to offer an alternative to traditional prisons. Until then, young inmates were incarcerated with adults, in conditions that were ill-suited to their age and needs. Now, teenagers and young adults aged 15 to 24 can serve their sentences in an environment designed to prepare them for the future. Sipar has set up a library there, which supports the inmates on a daily basis.

The inmates housed in this center have been sentenced to terms ranging from two to ten years, mainly for drug trafficking. The majority of them are still minors. Unlike traditional prisons, where educational support is limited, everything here has been designed to encourage responsibility and learning. The conditions of detention have been redesigned to promote genuine social and professional reintegration upon release from prison.

Many activities are offered to young people at the center. Training courses in agriculture and mechanics are organized, as well as remedial classes and English lessons. The efforts made by inmates are rewarded: regular participation can lead to sentence reductions of up to nine months.

At the heart of the center, the library and multimedia space set up by Sipar play an essential role. This place has become a real hub for learning and exchange. Young people can read there, borrow books for their cells, and take part in educational activities. The BEEP programme,, which allows students to obtain a middle school equivalency diploma, is also offered there. Thanks to these tools, the days are filled with education and socialization.

Since it opened, the Kandal center has shown how well this model works. There have been few reports of violence and no escape attempts. Most importantly, none of the young people who have left the center have reoffended. These results show how important it is to provide tailored, humane support. As the center's director, Mr. Phea Vannak, points out: “I encourage them to view the center as a boarding school, where they have come to learn and serve society.”

In light of these advances, the creation of new centers for minors has been made a priority for the Cambodian government. Four additional facilities are planned to meet growing needs. The Kandal center, with a capacity of 1,200 people, is expected to reach full capacity by early 2026. The development of similar facilities throughout the country will allow young convicts to remain close to their families, which is crucial to their rehabilitation.

By supporting this center and developing its educational activities, Sipar is directly helping to give hundreds of young Cambodians a second chance. Access to reading, education, and training remains one of the most powerful tools for a successful reintegration.