Ms Michelle ShannonNational Director, Irish Youth Justice Service
Irish Youth Justice Service Conference 2010www.iyjs.ie
Achievements to date and vision for the future
Why we were established
• Bring about better coordination in the youth justice sector
• Develop policy in the youth justice area
• Manage the children detention schools
• Link in with general children’s policy as set by the OMCYA
Mission Statement
“To create a safer society by working in partnership to reduce youth offending through appropriate interventions and
linkages into services”
“To create a safer society by working in partnership to reduce youth offending through appropriate interventions and
linkages into services”
National Youth Justice Strategy
2008-2010Strategy spans all parts of the youthjustice system from diversion todetention.
Taking a critical look at
• How to engage key players
• How we deliver services
• How we can improve outcomes
National Youth Justice Strategy 2008-2010
5 High Level Goals1. To provide leadership and build public confidence in the
youth justice system
2. To work to reduce offending by diverting young people from offending behaviour
3. To promote the greater use of community sanctions and initiatives to deal with young people who offend
4. To provide a safe and secure environment for detained children which will assist their early re-integration into the community
5. To strengthen and develop information and data sources in the youth justice system to support more effective policies and services
Engagement of key players
An Garda Síochána• Additional JLOs have been assigned• Worked together to make GYDPs more effective• Garda Case Management System• Youth Justice included in Garda Strategy Statement and Policing Plan 2010
Probation Service• Creation of Young Persons Probation division• Sanctions now available on a nationwide basis
Beyond criminal justice system• HSE: Early provision of child welfare services in the community to young
people at risk• Dept of Education and Science: Development of an education strategy for
children in Detention
An Garda Síochána• Additional JLOs have been assigned• Worked together to make GYDPs more effective• Garda Case Management System• Youth Justice included in Garda Strategy Statement and Policing Plan 2010
Probation Service• Creation of Young Persons Probation division• Sanctions now available on a nationwide basis
Beyond criminal justice system• HSE: Early provision of child welfare services in the community to young
people at risk• Dept of Education and Science: Development of an education strategy for
children in Detention
Service Delivery
• Government decision to develop national detention school services at Oberstown
• Detention Integration Strategy
• HIQA inspections
• Improvements in operation of GYDPs
Improving Outcomes• Ensuring youth workers in GYDPs have
the capacity to deal with complex behaviour
• YJForum• Standardised Assessment Tool• New and upgraded accommodation in the
Children Detention Schools• Restorative Practices
Looking to the future
• Development of new Strategy from 2011 onwards
• Greater use of Restorative Justice
• Dissemination of good practice
• Local youth justice teams
• Continuing to promote alternatives to detention
• More effective programmes for children in detention
• Integrated detention service
• Improving data quality and availability