Construction on the "Hope Island" project, designed to rehabilitate children exposed to criminal environments, will commence in January 2026, the Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusan has revealed.
The significant facility, now slated for development on land reclaimed from Uthuru Thilafalhu (UTF) after relocating from the initial Vaani, Dhaalu Atoll site, represents a major step in the government's youth crime prevention strategy.
Minister Ihusan outlined that the project will utilise a cross-subsidy model for financing, with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment actively engaged in related discussions with the interested party. Hope Island is mandated to function as a long-term care facility within the children's justice system.
The facility, with a planned capacity for 700 individuals including children and staff, will be comprehensively equipped. Development plans include dedicated special units, education and training areas, sports facilities, a health centre, a 700-capacity mosque, ceremonial spaces, and designated meeting areas for children and their families. A total of 15 hectares will be reclaimed in UTF for the purpose.
Hope Island's core mission is providing necessary treatment, correctional programmes, and rehabilitation for children identified as being at significant risk of committing crimes. The rehabilitation approach will encompass basic education, religious upbringing, psychosocial interventions, therapy programmes, and contact sports.
The government has previously stated that children admitted to Hope Island will typically remain until they reach 18 years of age. Following their rehabilitation, a condition of their release will involve serving a designated period within either the Maldives Police Service or the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF).
This initiative aligns with broader government efforts to prevent juvenile delinquency. Authorities report that over 160 children are currently receiving care through various state-run programmes, underscoring the perceived need for a dedicated, large-scale facility like Hope Island.