Watchdog tells children in jail how to complain

The Children’s Ombudsman yesterday broke new ground as she activated a complaints procedure for 17-year-olds detained in St Patrick’s Institution for young offenders.

Emily Logan visited the Dublin detention centre and met with 22 17-year-olds, who are, contrary to international standards, still being jailed along with young adults, aged between 18 and 21.

St Patrick’s Institution has been dogged with controversy over the years, with recent figures showing it had the highest level of assaults and inmates on protection than any other prison.