The LJRF Centre for Probation Reforms aims to raise awareness among law and social work students about the Criminal Justice System, the significance of the Probation of Offenders Act, and the advantages of probation. Its objective is to establish a community support group to aid offenders in a more effective reintegration process.
Navia Sebastian, a penultimate year law student at Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram, hailing from Kottayam, has been appointed as the convenor of LJRF Centre for Probation Reforms since April 2023. She completed her schooling at BMM English Medium School, Pampady.
LJRF Activities:
During her tenure as convenor, CPR has placed a greater emphasis on research and other social aspects of probation. Recognizing the need for increased social engagement, CPR created an Instagram page, where most of the centre’s events are now shared. A logo competition was organized to select a logo for the social media handle and future centre activities. The competition, themed “Reshaping Justice, Restoring Lives,” also became the new tagline for the centre, chosen from numerous entries by CPR members. Navia organized and structured a group of members according to their interests into two groups: research trainees and media trainees, which now comprise over 60 members.
She arranged a session by Binoy V J, a probation officer, on ‘Probation reforms, schemes, and best practices’, serving as an introductory session on probation for many members. Navia also facilitated numerous meetings with probation officers, officials from the social justice department, and other legal professionals to plan and execute various programs, including the Fortnight program. She introduced the Centre for Probation Reforms and its importance to participants during the LJRF 7-day Internship program on Legal Journalism.
As a resource person, she contributed to a one-day seminar organized by the Social Justice Department on Probation Day in Kovalam and presented the Report on Probation Reforms and Measures
CPR is currently focused on establishing a student-aided legal aid clinic in collaboration with DLSA Thiruvananthapuram to encourage student involvement in legal aid clinics across the state. Navia organized meetings with DLSA members and, with the assistance of other paralegal volunteers, developed a concept note for the project. The project is now in the implementation phase, having completed the project launch and volunteer selection.
Research Work:
As convenor, Navia guides other members and assists in various CPR activities. The members, including research trainees and media trainees, are engaged in different tasks on a monthly basis. Some of the published works include:
Probation: Safeguarding the Human Rights of Offenders –
Preserving Human Rights for Prisoners –
Involving Communities in Probation for Prisoners –
Probation Systems Worldwide –
Critical Analysis of Probation Reforms –
News Updates:
The centre also provides major news updates relevant to probation in simple language for better public understanding. Some of the recent updates are:
Vacancies for Probation Officer Posts to be Reported: Ordered by the Honourable High Court of Kerala –
High Court’s Ruling on Life Prisoners Pursuing Online LLB Programs –
Internship Opportunity – Social Justice Department –
Introduction of Child-Friendly Interview Halls in Prisons –
