News
Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre fit for purpose ( 5/11/2007)
Northern Ireland’s new purpose built Juvenile Justice Centre underlines the Government’s commitment to providing modern day facilities to meet the demands of a modern day juvenile justice system, Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward, MP, has said.The Secretary of State officially opened the new Centre at Woodlands in Bangor today and said that the facility can help those young people who are in custody to move away from crime and make a positive contribution to society.
Shaun Woodward said: “This new facility along with the recent roll-out of the Youth Conferencing Service across Northern Ireland are a realisation of the vision of the Criminal Justice Review and fulfil the Government’s commitment in meeting the challenges of the 21st century for future youth justice provisions.
“Those who end up in custody can often be the most vulnerable in society and often have complex needs, it is therefore only right for those young people and for the dedicated staff who work so closely and tirelessly with them, that we have the best possible environment to help them address their offending behaviour and to understand the impact that their unacceptable behaviour has within our community.
“Woodlands will provide the right environment in which staff can use their skills to bring about positive and lasting change in the lives of these young people.”
Notes to Editors
- The new Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre in Bangor was built in response to recommendations made by the comprehensive review of the juvenile justice estate and the Criminal Justice Review in 2000.
- Following the closure of Lisnevin near Millisle in October 2003 a single juvenile justice centre for Northern Ireland was created in refurbished accommodation at Rathgael. This has now been replaced by the new Woodlands Centre.
- Woodlands has capacity to provide accommodation for up to 48 young people. While numbers vary considerably the average population is normally in the region of 30 - mostly boys between 15 and 16 years of age.
- The new centre accommodates boys and girls who have been remanded into or sentenced to custody by the court, therefore, accommodation more specifically designed to meet the needs of girls has been incorporated within the new centre
- The cost of construction was £16.8 million and has been self funded through the sale of the surrounding land.
- The new centre became fully operational in January 2007.
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