Oberstown could be a world-leading example of how to treat young people in detention
Young people must always be central in the decision-making process in order to ensure that the complex needs of children in detention are met. Roderic O'Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (pictured second from right), at the launch in April of an exhibition of work made by young people in Oberstown Children Detention Campus who are participating in Gaisce. Also pictured from left: Damien Hernon, Director, Oberstown Children Detention Campus; Aine Fletcher, Director, IMMA and Yvonne McKenna, CEO, Gaisce - The President's Award. File picture: Keith Arkins
According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, detention must be a last resort for children in conflict with the law and every child who is detained must be treated with dignity and respect, taking account of their age and the desirability of promoting their integration into society when they leave.
The UN Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty, published in 2019, highlighted the challenges of translating these principles into practice around the world.
