On the 2nd of July 2024, during what seemed like a routine screening at the Kabwata Police Station Paralegal Desk, the paralegal team stumbled upon three young boys whose lives had taken a dangerous turn. Aged 13, 16, and
17, these boys had been arrested by ZESCO Police at Maxwell Sibongo Police Post in Lusaka. Their crime? Theft and vandalism of ZESCO property. For two days, they sat in detention, their futures hanging in the balance. But this was no simple case of juvenile crime. These boys, all hailing from Misis Compound, had dropped out of school and turned to the streets to survive. In the shadows of one of Lusaka’s most underserved communities, they made their living by selling scrap metal, sacrificing their education and future in exchange for daily survival. What led them
to crime was not a desire for wealth or thrill, but desperation. With no access to education or proper support, their only escape was the dangerous path of petty theft. This is where the true essence of justice comes into play, not in
punishment, but in providing opportunities for reform and reintegration.
The paralegal officers, trained to see beyond the crime and into the circumstances that lead young offenders astray, decided to take action. In collaboration with the Child Protection Unit (CPU) and ZESCO Security, they facilitated a diversionary process, aiming to rehabilitate rather than incarcerate the boys. Through this intervention, the boys admitted their wrongdoing. They expressed genuine remorse and a willingness to cooperate with
authorities—an important step in any restorative justice process. The paralegals, along with key stakeholders, referred them to the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Lusaka Youth Drop-In Centre for crime awareness sessions and behavioural change counselling. This was not just an intervention; it was a lifeline. By leveraging community support structures and alternative justice mechanisms, these boys were given a second chance—an opportunity to leave their criminal past behind and reintegrate into society. The counselling at YWCA was not merely about avoiding future crimes; it was about reshaping their perspectives, building their self-worth, and
showing them that another path was possible. Three young lives, once derailed by poverty and lack of opportunity,
were put back on track. This story underscores the power of paralegal services and diversion programs in transforming young offenders into productive members of society.