Youth interventions 'too little, too late'

Published Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Comments
Toggle font size
Print

Not enough is being done to help young people to move away from a life of crime in Northern Ireland, a report has claimed.

Video available to UK viewers only.
We’re sorry. This video is unavailable from your location.

To find out if this video is available to you, we need to know what region you live in. Please enter your postcode below (including space).

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for confirming your region.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are sorry but this video is not available on u.tv in your region. Your region is listed below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you in Northern Ireland?

1. Why is my postcode required?

We are asking you to insert your postcode before watching some videos to confirm you can access the video content via u.tv.

This is because some videos on u.tv are only available in Northern Ireland.

Don't worry, we won't store or use this information for any other purpose.

If you are not in Northern Ireland, the content may be available to watch at itv.com or stv.tv.

2. Why am I directed to itv.com or stv.tv when I try to view certain clips?

The videos, which are not available on u.tv to users outside Northern Ireland, will be available to those users on itv.com (for users in England and Wales) or stv.tv (for most users in Scotland).

We need to know where you are in order to make sure you are getting the right content.

If you think we've got your location wrong, then please click here.

Need more help? Contact us

The NI Criminal Justice Inspectorate study, published on Tuesday, has called for the government to commit to tackling the root causes of crime.

It has said current efforts are "too little, too late" as a third of young people in the care system have already been victims of domestic abuse, and many have been excluded from school and misused drugs or alcohol.

Acting chief inspector Brendan McGuigan said: "The path to the youth justice system is a well-trodden one, yet we as a society seem incapable of helping some young people to move off it.

"What is clear is that for many young people it was a case of too little, too late.

The alternative is a continued failure, as a society, for our most vulnerable children.

Brendan McGuigan

"All too often interventions attempt to deal with social problems that are already well-entrenched.

"This is not only ineffective in helping those young people with issues that contribute to criminal behaviour, it is also more expensive."

Inspectors found there was a lack of co-ordination in the NI justice system and Mr McGuigan said a "risk of duplication and a lack of evaluation which made it difficult to assess effectiveness and value for money".

He said ministers should decide whether to commit fully to tackling problems like domestic violence early, and those responsible for health and social care, education, criminal justice, social development and employment and learning would need to work together to deal with such issues.

"This report calls for a clear commitment to such an approach. The challenge is immense," he added.

© UTV News
Comments Comments
0 Comments
No comments. Be the first to comment.
POST A COMMENT:
Name:  
Email address*:    
Location:  
Validation:
House Rules:  
Your Comment:  
[All comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Your name, location and comment will be displayed on this page if your post passes moderation.]
MOST POPULAR GALLERIES
On the rocks
Wed 01 May 2013
4x4 in Ballycastle harbour
Thu 02 May 2013