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04/10/2013
Child Custody A 'Last Resort'
Justice Minister David Ford has said custody should be a "last resort for children", but if it is needed, it must be appropriate.
The Minister was speaking as he published a consultation on the custodial sentencing options for children.
From November 2012, in line with the Minister’s policy, no young people under 18 have been detained in Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre and have instead been located at Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre.
The consultation is asking for opinions on introducing legislation to support the policy and make it law that no under 18s are sentenced to be detained in Hydebank Wood YOC in the future.
David Ford said: "This consultation reaffirms my commitment to ensuring that custody is only used as a last resort for children and that when they are sentenced by a court, children are held in the most appropriate surroundings.
"Since November last year, no young person under 18 has been held in Hydebank Wood and that remains the position. However, I made it clear when I announced this change that legislation would be needed to underpin my decision.
"This consultation is looking at the best way to change sentencing arrangements to ensure that no children can be sentenced to Hydebank Wood in the future and instead are sentenced to Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre where appropriate."
(IT/CD)
The Minister was speaking as he published a consultation on the custodial sentencing options for children.
From November 2012, in line with the Minister’s policy, no young people under 18 have been detained in Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre and have instead been located at Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre.
The consultation is asking for opinions on introducing legislation to support the policy and make it law that no under 18s are sentenced to be detained in Hydebank Wood YOC in the future.
David Ford said: "This consultation reaffirms my commitment to ensuring that custody is only used as a last resort for children and that when they are sentenced by a court, children are held in the most appropriate surroundings.
"Since November last year, no young person under 18 has been held in Hydebank Wood and that remains the position. However, I made it clear when I announced this change that legislation would be needed to underpin my decision.
"This consultation is looking at the best way to change sentencing arrangements to ensure that no children can be sentenced to Hydebank Wood in the future and instead are sentenced to Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre where appropriate."
(IT/CD)
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