Services delivered within a custodial setting

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The Youth Justice Agency provides custodial facilities for children and young people referred to it by the court system in Northern Ireland.

Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre

A rationalisation of the Juvenile Justice estate was completed in January 2007 with the opening of Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre and the closure of the old Rathgael site.

Woodlands has been designed as a centre of excellence within a secure environment, offering and providing a wide range of services and support, tailored to each young person’s specific and age-related needs to support their reintegration to the community upon release and help prevent them re-offending.

Woodlands provides a safe, secure and stimulating environment for up to 48 boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 17 placed in custody.

Aim of Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre

Woodlands aims to deliver best value in custodial services for the community and for young people by:

  • Providing a safe, secure and caring environment
  • Tackling offending by delivering anti-offending programmes and raising victim awareness
  • Addressing development, health, educational and recreational needs;
  • Reducing risk to self and others
  • Preparing young people for their return to families and communities with a reduced risk of offending
  • Having staff who are enthusiastic and committed in their belief that they can help young people make life-changing choices

Woodlands provides six residential units, an education and learning centre, recreation facilities, medical and dental services and many more services and facilities to support its goals. It works actively with partner organisations to support young people while in custody and on release through effective information sharing, collaborative working and involvement in decision making.

The Centre’s postal address and contact details are available on the following page:

Further information


Related to Services delivered within a custodial setting

Access to information

How to request information from the Department of Justice including Freedom of Information (FOI) and the use of our Publication Scheme.

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