Work to improve Youth Justice System continues – Ford

Justice Minister David Ford has said the Youth Justice Review continues to set the agenda for improvements across the youth justice system in Northern Ireland.

Minister of Justice David Ford MLA

David Ford said: “When it was published in 2011, the Youth Justice Review set out a direction of travel for improving our youth justice system and the way we deal with children who come into contact with it.  Today’s report demonstrates that we have made some good progress in delivering on the report’s recommendations, and the youth justice landscape is very different now to that which faced the Review Team.

“This does not mean, however, that the work is done.  CJINI’s report makes it clear that there are still improvements to be made, and whilst they may no longer be inspecting our progress we will nevertheless continue to drive changes in line with the vision the Review Team had for our youth justice system. 

“The Scoping Study on children in the justice system, which I commissioned earlier this year, will continue this work by building on the progress that has already been made.  It links directly to a number of the Review recommendations, some of which we were unable to deliver upon in the lifetime of this current Assembly.  The involvement of key partners from other Departments demonstrates a joint commitment to the work needed which makes such progress possible.”

The Scoping Study will examine the youth justice system in its entirety and make proposals to the Minister aimed at making the system simpler to understand, more efficient in its delivery and improving outcomes for children involved in it. 

Notes to editors: 

1.  All media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office on 028 9052 6444. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.

2.  A download copy of the CJI Second Youth Justice Review Inspection Report is available from the website www.cjini.org

Share this page