News
New Juvenile Justice Centre Fit For Purpose - Hanson ( 8/01/2007)
The opening of Northern Ireland’s new Juvenile Justice Centre fulfils the Governments commitment to create a youth justice system to meet the challenges of the 21st century, Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson MP said.David Hanson said, “This new facility represents the culmination of a long-term process to transform the youth justice system in Northern Ireland. We have developed a range of community interventions, introduced youth conferencing and we now have a custody facility which is fit for purpose.
“The new centre has been carefully designed to create a safe and secure facility to meet the challenges presented by the young people placed in custody. It 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.
“This investment signals our commitment to do all we can to help them to move away from crime and to make a positive contribution to the communities in which they come from and to which they will return.”
Notes to Editors
· The new Juvenile Justice Centre in Bangorhas been 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 on7 October 2003 a single juvenile justice centre forNorthern Ireland was created in refurbished accommodation at Rathgael.
· The new centre will have capacity to provide accommodation for up to 48 young people. While numbers vary considerably the average population is normally between 25 and 30 - mostly boys between 15 and 16 years of age.
· The new centre will continue to accommodate 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 is £16.8 million and will be self funding through the sale of the surrounding land.
· The new centre will become fully operational towards the end of January 2007 and will be called Woodlands.
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