Justice Minister visits Woodlands Juvenile Centre on Hidden Heroes Day

Justice Minister Naomi Long today officially opened a newly refurbished residential unit at Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre near Bangor.

The work has been carried out at the Youth Justice Agency facility as part of a refurbishment 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. 

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.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Justice Minister Naomi Long officially opened a newly refurbished residential unit for young people between the ages of 10 and 17 at Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre. She is pictured with Stephen Martin, Chief Executive of the Youth Justice Agency and Mary Aughey, Director of Custodial Services at the Juvenile Justice Centre.
2. The Youth Justice Agency (YJA) works with 10-17 year olds who have offended or are at serious risk of offending to help the children address their offending behaviour, divert them from crime and assist their integration into the community. 
3. Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre provides a safe, secure and stimulating environment for boys and girls placed in custody.
4. #Hidden Heros Day is a national day – designed to say thank you to everyone working in UK prisons, probation and youth justice services, for the critical work they do. The inaugural Hidden Heros Day was launched by Princess Anne in 2020 as part of her work with Butler Trust 
5. Press queries about this publication should be directed to the DoJ Press Office via Email.
6. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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