{
  "id": 12529116,
  "title": "What Nur Sharina saw behind the gates of Henry Gurney School",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/what-nur-sharina-saw-behind-the-gates-of-henry-gurney-school-12529116",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T02:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2026/10/07/what-nur-sharina-saw-behind-the-gates-of-henry-gurney-school"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lecturer Nur Sharina Cik Ibrahim has gained insight into the residents of Henry Gurney School through her PhD research on psychological interventions for juvenile offenders. In 2016, she visited the institution for the first time and was struck by the welcoming atmosphere from the hundreds of female residents who greeted her with good morning smiles, handshakes, and hugs. Sharina discovered that these residents, often labeled as bad or troubled, were simply ordinary girls who had experienced trauma and neglect within their families.\n\nOne resident, a teenager who had expressed a desire to kill her mother, underwent therapy and eventually changed her mind, wanting to meet her mother once again. This story highlights the potential for transformation when individuals are given the opportunity to process their emotions and receive support.\n\nSharina encouraged the residents to keep diaries, which initially contained entries filled with violence, anger, and hatred. However, as therapy progressed, the tone of the entries shifted, and residents began writing about their hopes and plans for the future. This change was noticed by the school, leading Sharina to return after completing her doctorate to assist more residents in need.\n\nThe therapy aimed to help residents view their experiences differently, allowing them to work through the trauma they had carried. One former resident, who had achieved excellent SPM results and pursued psychology, served as an inspiration for Sharina. Upon her success, the student hugged Sharina during the school's excellence award ceremony, fulfilling her dream of helping others who had experienced similar struggles.\n\nSharina believes that young offenders have the potential to rebuild their lives when provided with the right support and the chance to be seen beyond their mistakes. However, she emphasizes that reintegrating into society remains the most challenging aspect for these individuals. The question remains: if adults are deserving of second chances, why is it so difficult to extend the same acceptance to these children?",
  "summary": "The lecturer’s work reveals how trauma and fractured family relationships can shape young offenders - and how the right support can help them change.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Di sebalik pagar Henry Gurney, pensyarah temui remaja dengan luka terpendam",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/di-sebalik-pagar-henry-gurney-pensyarah-temui-remaja-dengan-luka",
        "published": "2026-10-07T02:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}