News
Youth Justice Agency working with the local community in Newry ( 3/04/2009)
The Youth Justice Agency continued its series of Networking and Insight events with a seminar in Newry’s Canal Court Hotel on Tuesday 30th March.Arranged as part of Criminal Justice week in Northern Ireland, the event highlighted the importance of engaging with local communities and emphasised the need for community support for the youth justice system.
Community, voluntary and statutory groups had the opportunity to learn more about the work of the Youth Justice Agency and in particular the intervention work they undertake with young people within the local community. Guest speakers from the Public Prosecution Service, PSNI, and local council also gave an insight into how they deal with young people involved in offending behaviour with the support of the Agency.
Alice Chapman, a Director with the Youth Justice Agency, explained to guests the benefits of the youth conference system as an alternative and successful restorative method of dealing with young offenders, while a young person and a victim who had both been through the process also gave first hand accounts of their experiences.
Orlaith McGibbon, Acting Assistant Director with the Agency said: “It is most important that we continue to work in partnership with those representatives here today and to build new relationships. Community organisations can provide vital support and reparative programmes for those young people who have been caught up in offending behaviour and help them to reintegrate back into the society. By working together we can improve local community awareness and confidence in the youth justice system.”
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