Secure residential facilities failing the children and the staff

Because of the premature closure of St Patrick’s ‘prison’, violent young offenders are inadequately housed and are a danger to themselves and to care workers, says John Byrne 

There are two categories of residential child care in Ireland. The first is small, community-based group homes for children who have not offended, but who cannot live at home. The homes are within the community and they recreate normal family life, and provide the same care and protection, in so far as possible.

The second is secure residential child care. These facilities consist of Oberstown Remand and Assessment Centre, and Trinity House School. They are in the same complex, in Lusk, Co Dublin. They are for young people who have offended and who have been sentenced by the courts to detention. These are closed facilities that also provide care and protection, but which are mindful of the risk posed by their residents, who often have moderate to severe emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.