21/04/2004

Spellar outlines way forward for Youth Justice Agency

Criminal Justice Minister John Spellar, today announced the publication of the Youth Justice Agency of Northern Ireland's second Corporate and Business Plan.

Welcoming the publication of the reports John Spellar said the Agency had operated against a background of major change within the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland, including the opening of the single Juvenile Justice Centre at Bangor, implementation of the Youth Conference Service, the opening of two additional Community Services facilities and the introduction of new orders.

"This new plan represents a further challenge for the Agency, containing eight key performance targets and a comprehensive programme of 23 development objectives. These aim to build upon the progress already made and will both extend the services provided and further improve the operational effectiveness of the Agency," he added.

The Youth Justice Agency was launched as an Executive Agency, as recommended in the Criminal Justice Review, on 1 April 2003.

It replaced the former Juvenile Justice Board, and is the fourth agency to be established within the Northern Ireland Office.

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