Minister Opens New Juvenile Justice Centre

A new residential juvenile justice centre has been officially opened by Justice Minister, Naomi Long.

The residential unit at Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre near Bangor, at the Youth Justice Agency facility, has been newly refurbished as part of a programme to provide a child friendly, therapeutic and modern environment for young people between the ages of 10 and 17. Woodlands is a safe, secure and stimulating environment, where staff provide support for up to 48 boys and girls, helping them to address their offending behaviour, diverting them from crime and assisting their integration back into the community.

Opening the new facility, Naomi Long said: "The interventions being delivered in Woodlands are designed to address offending behaviour, raise victim awareness, and reduce the risk of reoffending by helping young people to make better life choices. It is important therefore we also ensure the facility in which these services are being delivered are modern and child friendly with a therapeutic environment. "The refurbishment of the residential unit will also help staff by creating an environment which has a positive impact on attitude, mood and behaviour of the young people in their care."

The Minister added: "Of course, there also remains a continuing need for a collaborative cross-departmental approach to tackle the underlying societal issues that lead to offending, and to multi-agency delivery of early interventions to prevent vulnerable young people from coming into contact with the criminal justice system."

During her visit, the Minister also took time to praise Youth Justice Agency staff for their commitment and dedication to steer young people away from offending behaviour.

Naomi Long said: "On this, Hidden Heroes Day, I am delighted to have had the opportunity to meet staff in Woodlands and to acknowledge the value of the work they do. Today's visit has given me the opportunity to see the range of interventions being delivered by the excellent staff to meet the health, education and emotional needs of young people in their care."