Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre
  Location in Northern Ireland  Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre (County Down) | |
| Coordinates | 54°38′36″N 5°41′10″W / 54.643307°N 5.686163°W |
|---|---|
| Status | Operational |
| Security class | Juvenile Justice Centre |
| Capacity | 48 |
| Population | ~30 |
| Opened | 2007 |
| Managed by | Youth Justice Agency |
| Director | Mary Aughey |
| Street address | 1 Mosswood Close |
| City | Bangor |
| County | County Down |
| State/province | United Kingdom |
| Postal code | BT19 1TA |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre (JJC) is a youth detention centre located in Bangor, County Down;[1] it is the only such facility in Northern Ireland.[2]
History
[edit]Thr Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 provides legislative basis for the JJC's operation. Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre opened on the Rathgael site in 2007.[3] It is for children of both sexes aged 10 to 17, held either on remand or having been sentenced by a court to custody.[4][5]
The centre aims to providing a safe, secure and caring environment, delivers anti-offending programmes, addresses development, health, educational and recreational needs and prepares offenders for return to family and community.[4]
A 2018 report by Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland was very positive about Woodlands, but noted the disproportionate number of Catholic children in the centre.[6]
A new unit was opened in 2024, increasing capacity to 48; the typical population is about 30.[7][4]
Notes
[edit]- ^ "Youth Justice Agency boss Stephen Martin says Woodlands was not appropriate facility for 'Vicky'". Derry Journal. 24 September 2024.
- ^ Carr, N., Smith, R. (2023:154). Youth Justice: Local and Global. United Kingdom: SAGE Publications.
- ^ Dictionary of Youth Justice. (2013:208). United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis.
- ^ a b c "Children in the juvenile justice system | Department of Education". www.education-ni.gov.uk. 17 January 2023.
- ^ "Two teenage boys (14) appear in court charged with attempted rape". BreakingNews.ie. 9 June 2025.
- ^ "NI: Juvenile Justice Centre named 'jewel in the crown' of criminal justice system". Irish Legal News. 20 June 2018.
- ^ "Justice Minister visits Woodlands Juvenile Centre on Hidden Heroes Day | Department of Justice". www.justice-ni.gov.uk. 25 September 2024.