Along with other State agencies, the Israel Army is taking measures to help solve the problem of chronic delinquency among youth–the so-called “youth on the fringe”–mainly from poverty areas. The Army announced today that it is prepared to accept youths with criminal records, heretofore ineligible for military service. The purpose would be to train them while in service for useful trades that they could pursue when they return to civilian life. These include electronics and automobile mechanics. A similar effort will be made by Nahal, the para-military agricultural units which will open its ranks to youths with records of delinquency. They will be given one year courses in Hebrew, elementary mathematics, history and other subjects. The following year they will be sent to military installations to learn a trade.
One plan, considered the most daring, projects Army workshops for delinquent youths serving jail sentences. The latter parts of their prison terms would be served as members of Army units. Authorities estimate that between 500-1,000 youths would be eligible for such a program.
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