New law will make criminals out of children

ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour in Ireland has become a major problem, but is the new Criminal Justice Bill the answer? I say no, not really.

Just like the Children’s Act 2001 (which failed to deliver), it is an answer, but it isn’t the best or most effective answer.

It will make criminals out of children and young people. Is this what our Government wants? Do they want to put our children in prison? Shame on them if they do. Don’t they know that telling children they are criminals eventually makes them believe they are. In St Patrick’s Institution three out of every four young people are re-offenders - so putting them in prison does more harm than good.