Lack of custodial centres driving young offenders onto the street

IRELAND’S custodial system for young offenders is under severe strain. The lack of accommodation is driving problem children towards a life of crime. This problem has long been with us. Is it any wonder, therefore, it is now at crisis point.

The priority should be to reach juveniles at an early stage. There is no point in simply taking them off the streets and locking them up. That does not solve the problem because those juveniles will be replaced by a new group. The judiciary complains also over the lack of suitable accommodation for juvenile offenders.

Another aspect of the problem is that of child prostitution involving boys and girls. Many of these children were in State care when they were young, but on reaching 16 years of age they can no longer be held compulsorily by the authorities, and they leave care.