NCJ Number
187820
Journal
Lay Panel Magazine Volume: 44 Dated: September 2000 Pages: 22-24
Editor(s)
W. G. McCarney
Date Published
September 2000
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This paper presents the recommendations of the Northern Ireland Youth and Family Courts Association (NIYFCA) regarding custodial provision for young offenders.
Abstract
Topics addressed are the nature of the accommodation required, the location of accommodation, and future staffing. The conclusion of NIYFCA's analysis is that there is currently too much accommodation in Northern Ireland's juvenile justice system. The NIYFCA recommends the establishment of modern custodial facilities that would provide youth in custody with the support they need to terminate their criminal activities while providing protection for the public. The recommendation is for two custodial centers, each providing 24 beds. Each center would have either three sub-units or four sub-units. Each facility should be developed and managed in a culturally neutral manner that allows for maximum flexibility in the sentencing available to the court. The NIYFCA believes that the lack of direction and the absence of any clear policy has had a major detrimental effect on the juvenile justice system in general and on the morale of staff in particular. Sufficient staff should be provided for the two custodial centers to ensure that the many and varied needs of juvenile residents are met. This has not been the case in the past.