As part of the educational activities designed to provide a comprehensive professional formation, the students of the School of International Governance & Law at Danubius International University participated in a study visit at the Tichilești Detention Center – Brăila.
The event took place under the guidance of Dr. Ana Alina Ionescu Dumitrache, Associate Professor and course holder of Criminal Law – Special Part, and was honored by the presence of Dr. Steve O. Michael, Rector & CEO of Danubius International University.
This activity, one of the most anticipated by future legal professionals, offered participants the opportunity to engage directly with the practical realities of the criminal justice system. The visit was conducted within the framework of the institutional partnership established between the School of International Governance & Law and the Tichilești Detention Center – Brăila.
The students had the opportunity to observe the environment in which custodial sentences are served by individuals who committed offenses during their minor years. During the visit, six particularly complex and disturbing cases were presented, involving young people convicted of serious crimes, most of which were committed under the influence of drugs or other prohibited substances. These included cases of homicide and attempted homicide against close persons—partners, relatives, or, in one instance, a teacher.
The offenders also shared details regarding the factual circumstances of human trafficking and pimping offenses, notably those carried out through the so-called “Lover Boy” method.
The atmosphere during the discussions was deeply emotional and tense, as many of these young inmates came from respectable families with good financial standing. One of them had even been a triple national Olympiad winner in mathematics, physics, and English, illustrating the complex and unpredictable nature of juvenile criminal behavior. Conversely, other young offenders had endured deprived childhoods, coming from disadvantaged backgrounds, often with parents involved in criminal activity. The common thread uniting these contrasting life stories was drug addiction and the inability to control emotions, both of which proved decisive in the commission of serious criminal acts.
Following the discussions, participants visited the main facilities of the detention center, including the library, chapel, computer lab, classrooms, and other areas dedicated to the educational and social reintegration processes of young detainees.
Danubius International University and the School of International Governance & Law extend their sincere gratitude to the Tichilești Detention Center – Brăila for their valuable cooperation and continued support, with special thanks to Chief Commissioner of Police Nicușor Sterian – Director, Chief Commissioner of Police Camelia Enache, Police Subcommissioner Raluca Bocioagă, Principal Inspector Valentina Voinea, as well as to the entire staff of the institution for their openness and professionalism.
Claudia Stefania Marghiru