Irish Penal Reform Trust

Youth Justice

Ireland has a long history of poor responses to offending behaviour by children. A core strand to IPRT's work since its establishment in 1994 has been the promotion of a more effective youth justice system, with emphasis on non-custodial alternatives, diversion, early intervention and prevention strategies and programmes. Central to our work was ending the practice of detaining children in adult prisons, which was in breach of international human rights standards and a serious stain on Ireland's human rights record.

International human rights standards, and in particular the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, are clear that custody for children should only be used as a last resort and for the minimum required period of time. All efforts should be made to apply alternatives to detention to ensure that such a measure is only used in exceptional circumstances.

In Ireland, the Children Act 2001 recognizes the principle of detention as a last resort. The Act prohibits the imprisonment of children and the Criminal Justice Act 2006 makes provision for all children less than 18 years of age to be detained in Children Detention Schools. The detention school model is focused on a model of care, education, health and programmes that address offending, with improved outcomes for the young people, their communities and all of society. The Irish Youth Justice Service is responsible for the Children Detention Schools, within the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

Following years of sustained advocacy by IPRT, along with many national and international bodies, in 2012 the detention of boys aged under 17 at St Patrick's Institution ended. In March 2017, a Ministerial Order ended the sentencing of children aged under 18 to adult prison in Ireland, and in April 2017, St. Patrick’s Institution was finally closed. Since September 2017 boys aged under 18 are no longer detained in the adult prison system.

IPRT continues to work towards progressive change in youth justice policies and practice, as well as engaging with wider policy and practice issues relating to youth justice, such as the provision of alternatives to detention, diversion and early intervention programmes. 

Oberstown 2018 sml

Call For Submissions: Addressing the Over-Representation of Children in Care in the Criminal Justice System

16th March 2018

The Irish Penal Reform Trust has commissioned research on the over-representation of children in care or with care experience in the criminal justice system.

2016 Report on the Garda Diversion Programme

20th February 2018

The Department of Justice and Equality has published the 'Annual Report of the Committee Appointed to Monitor the Effectiveness of the Diversion Programme 2016'

Oberstown Campus: Report Finds Supportive Education for Students

19th February 2018

Oberstown Children Detention Campus was praised in the Department of Education report for commendable student support and high quality teaching.

UK: Youth Justice Statistics 2016/2017

25th January 2018

Youth Justice Statistics for 2016/2017 published by the Youth Justice Board and the Ministry of Justice.

Education of Children in Detention and Care – Department of Education and Skills 2013 to 2015

7th December 2017

A review of Education of Children in Detention and Care published by the Department of Education and Skills in 2017.

Invitation to Tender: Breaking the Care to Prison Pipeline

24th November 2017

IPRT is now inviting tenders for the research and production of a report examining the reasons for the over-representation of children in care, or with experience of care, in the criminal justice system in Ireland.

IPRT calls on Government to introduce legal framework regarding single separation for children

7th November 2017

The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has called on the Government to introduce a legal framework governing the holding of children in single separation. IPRT made the call in light of a High Court judgement delivered today (06.11.17) in a case taken by four young males against Oberstown Children Detention Campus in Lusk, Co Dublin.

More regular inspections needed during “turbulent transition” at Oberstown – IPRT

3rd August 2017

IPRT welcomes the publication by the Health Information and Quality Authority of its comprehensive and detailed report on an unannounced inspection of Oberstown Children Detention Campus, conducted 27 March 2017. IPRT also welcomes the Action Plan by Oberstown management in response to identified issues.

HIQA Publish Report on Oberstown Children Campus

3rd August 2017

The Health Information and Quality Authority published a detailed report of an inspection of Oberstown Children Detention Campus which was carried out from the 27th - 30th March 2017.

UK: The Howard League for Penal Reform and the Transition to Adulthood (T2A), 'Judging Maturity: exploring the role of maturity in the sentencing of young adults'

18th July 2017

A new Report by The Howard League for Penal Reform and the Transition to Adulthood (T2A) Alliance calls on sentencing council to work towards developing formal sentencing principles for young adults, similar to the principles that are already in place for sentencing children.

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Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.

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