Woodlands in Bangor – Transparency issues of Northern Ireland Children Commissioner

2024-10-26

It became clear to me that when the Northern Ireland Children’s Commissioner began hanging up on my calls, something was evidently wrong. The response to my Subject Access Request (SAR) dated October 22, 2024, was equally cryptic and hinted at acts of incarceration. The videos on YouTube related to the Looked After Children (LAC) meeting without Emily, which was the only one conducted in 12 years, further raised concerns, especially given that it took place 9 months ago. Additionally, during the meeting on January 8, 2024, with the Clinical & Social Care Governance Officer again without Emily, I noticed the presence of individuals who seemed out of place—strange-looking people who were not prison guards—yet they evaded providing any meaningful information. The pictures painted by these people in these videos expressed there was nothing to worry about that Emily was happy where it was stated that my daughter went out shopping, studied hotel management, and showed an interest in singing. This is a complete lie and total disregard for what they were doing in the meeting. At no point was this Woodlands addressed. As we near Emilys eighteenth birthday I am still not being informed the truth of what they have done to her! Where is the transparency in these crimes against children?

Is it a wonder that both the Irish Times and TULSA state this care is not fit for purpose.

Why then is NICCY bridging across the rules from her being a child to her becoming an adult next week? There is no mention of human rights, the Human Rights Act, or attention to the writ of Habeas Corpus, which I have served. I understand that a person known as “Baby Killer,” Lucy Letby, is not being prevented from contacting or seeing her parents. Is this claim consistent with the videos of complaint and the single LAC meeting (in links), where it was stated that my daughter went out shopping, studied hotel management, and showed an interest in singing? The person appearing at this meeting, who seemed draconian (female), presented in a manner that suggested manipulation, as prison staff were not in uniform, which could mislead observers.

The Northern Ireland Children’s Commissioner (NICCY) clearly did not want to talk about Emily as they knew about this and was hiding their shame, not being transparent and hiding behind the GDPR.

The Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre (JJC) in Northern Ireland has recently come under scrutiny due to a Criminal Justice Inspection report, which highlighted both positive changes and ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of young people. The report indicated improvements in areas such as relationships between staff and residents, which were noted as generally positive. However, it also raised significant issues, particularly concerning the use of isolation, the need for better mental health support, and the overall safety and well-being of the children in care.

The reported cost of housing a child at the Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre (JJC) is approximately £315,000 per year. This figure was highlighted in various reports and discussions surrounding the youth justice system in Northern Ireland, particularly emphasizing the need for a review of services and the management of youth justice facilities. Concerns have been raised regarding the effectiveness and appropriateness of the current system in addressing the needs of young people and preventing reoffending CJINI Children’s Law Centre.

The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) expressed a desire for a more transformative approach to youth justice, advocating for increased diversionary measures that would keep children out of formal justice settings wherever possible. NICCY emphasized the importance of re-evaluating the treatment and care provided to youth offenders to ensure their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. More details can be found in their publications and the full inspection report available on their site.

The Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre (JJC) is indeed linked to the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT). This connection primarily involves the provision of health services to young people within the JJC, ensuring their mental and physical health needs are adequately addressed.

A recent report by the Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland highlighted the standards of care within Woodlands JJC, indicating that the facility is part of a broader collaboration with health services, including those from the SHSCT. This is part of an integrated approach to support the rehabilitation and well-being of young people in custody. You can read the Inspection Report from the Royal College of Nursing for further insights.

Moreover, the CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) Youth Justice Service works in tandem with the Youth Justice Agency to enhance access to mental health services for those in the juvenile justice system, further emphasizing the role of health trusts like the SHSCT in providing comprehensive care.

For more detailed insights, you can explore the following sources:

These links provide further context and information regarding the health services related to the Woodlands JJC and their association with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.

The criticisms highlighted in the article regarding the Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre (JJC) mainly focus on the treatment of young people in custody, the disproportionate representation of certain demographic groups, and the appropriateness of using custody as a response to offenses.

Disproportionate Representation: A significant concern is the high number of care-experienced children in the Centre, which was reported to be around 40%. Furthermore, the representation of Catholic children is particularly troubling, as they made up 76% of the young people in custody during the 2016/17 period, despite the need for an analysis of this disparity.

Use of Custody: The Children’s Commissioner emphasized that custody should be a last resort. Many children at the JJC were not sentenced; 92% had not been sentenced in 2016/17, with some held for brief periods, such as on bail or remand. This raises concerns about the appropriateness of using the Centre for offenses that likely do not warrant loss of liberty.

Lack of Alternatives: There is a critique regarding the lack of alternative accommodations for children. The Centre is reportedly used when no other options are available, which is not in line with best practices for juvenile justice.

Cost vs. Purpose: The report indicates that the Centre costs taxpayers approximately £8 million, yet it is not being utilized for its intended purpose effectively.

These criticisms highlight systemic issues within the youth justice system in Northern Ireland, calling for reforms to ensure that children are treated fairly and that custody is used appropriately. For further details, you can read the full article from Irish Legal News.

Juvenile justice centre in Bangor praised by inspectors – BBC News.

Given the latest information and posts from X (formerly Twitter) up to October 25, 2024, here’s what we can infer about critical stories related to the Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre in Bangor:

Conditions of Living – Recent posts have highlighted concerns over the living conditions within facilities similar to or potentially including Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre. Mentioned issues include poor physical conditions like damp, mould, and structural damage, which could imply neglect in maintenance or oversight. However, without direct reference, we must consider this as general commentary on juvenile detention conditions rather than a confirmed situation at Woodlands specifically.
Juvenile Justice System Critique – There’s a broader critique about how juvenile justice systems operate, focusing on the treatment and outcomes for young offenders. This includes the effectiveness of rehabilitation versus the punitive approach, suggesting that some feel the system might not be adequately addressing the needs of these juveniles for reintegration into society.
Public Sentiment – Public sentiment often swings between sympathy for the harsh conditions some juveniles face and frustration over perceived leniency or mismanagement that might lead to reoffending or inadequate reform. This mix of emotions underscores a societal debate on how to treat juvenile offenders, with Woodlands occasionally entering the conversation as a point of reference due to its role in Northern Ireland’s juvenile justice framework.
Rehabilitation and Support – Discussion around Woodlands might also touch on the lack of or inadequate support for juveniles post-detention, indicating broader systemic issues in follow-up care, education, and community integration which indirectly reflect on the effectiveness of centers like Woodlands.
Policy and Funding – There’s an ongoing debate about funding and policy priorities, with critiques pointing towards underfunding or misallocation of resources, suggesting that facilities like Woodlands could be under-resourced for maintaining optimal conditions or providing comprehensive rehabilitation programs.
Community Impact – Discussions also venture into how these centers impact the broader community, including the cost to taxpayers, the perceived safety of having such facilities nearby, and the societal return on investment in terms of reduced crime rates.
Cultural and Public Perception – The cultural narrative around juvenile detention, influenced by media portrayals or isolated incidents, might color perceptions of Woodlands. High-profile cases or incidents related to a juvenile from Woodlands could sway public opinion towards seeing the center as either a failure or unfairly judged, depending on how the story unfolds.

From these insights, while there isn’t a direct, critical story about Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre explicitly detailed in recent public discussions or posts up to October 25, 2024, the sentiment around juvenile justice, the conditions of such facilities, and the broader societal and policy implications often bring Woodlands into the conversation.

If this news story affects you please contact Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre 1 Mosswood Close Mosswood Avenue Rathgael Road Bangor BT19 1TA. Telephone 028 9185 4600 Fax 028 9185 4854 Email info@yjani.gov.uk

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