4.4 Vulnerable categories of inmates 4.4.1 Although children should ideally not be incarcerated in correctional centres, where there is no other option, all children under the age of 18, and juveniles between the ages of 18 and 24 must, in terms of the law, be accommodated separately from each other, and the adult population. This appears to be applied inconsistently and is a matter of extreme concern as it poses a threat to the safety of both child and juvenile offenders. The JCPS cluster should take joint responsibility for ensuring that ages are verified, and the DCS must ensure that child, juvenile and adult offenders are accommodated separately.