Sir, – With the increasing anti-social behaviours and attacks perpetrated on citizens and tourists alike by roaming gangs of youths, are our justice system and youth diversion programmes still fit for purpose?
Is the system adequate to rehabilitate those who are intent on committing crime no matter what the punitive sanctions, including detention, are placed on them?
Looking at the statistics over the years from the CSO and Garda youth diversion programme, it is truly worrying the number of young people willing to reoffend.
In 2022, there were 15,000 referrals involving 10,000 children, according to its annual report; 75 per cent were dealt with by adult caution. How many of those reoffended is unknown while the balance of 25 per cent is unknown.
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In 2019, juvenile offenders aged 17 years and under accounted for 8 per cent of crime reported in a 12-month period; 83 per cent of individuals under 21 years of age reoffended within a year of prison release.
Within three to six months of release, recidivism increased from 48 per cent in 2018 to 58 per cent in 2019.
Nearly half of juveniles who received community-based sanctions in 2020 reoffended within a year.
While the number of children detained in Oberstown Detention Centre has reduced from 218 in 2012 to 122 in 2020, with a bed capacity of 54, it has not reduced the numbers involved in crime or anti-social behaviour.
While there are many causes and reasons for children being involved in crime and anti-social behaviour there is a worrying trend of increasing aggressive and violent behaviour by young offenders.
While we need to educate and rehabilitate and look at the root causes of those who are involved in violence crime and anti-social behaviour, the justice system of bailing or releasing repeat offenders is a real cause of concern for communities everywhere. – Yours, etc,
CHRISTY GALLIGAN,
(Retired Garda Sergeant),
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.