Our vision is of ... a fair criminal justice system

In March 2011 there were 1,584 people in prison in Northern Ireland (including those on remand) at an estimated cost of £78,000 per person.  The rate of re-offending stands at 43%. Resettlement, including a place to live and access to employment, is one of the most effective ways of tackling reoffending and reducing the number of people in prison. Studies show employment can reduce re-offending by between a third and a half.  However, many people leave prison with inadequate support and fall back into offending. 

At a time when public finances are facing huge cuts and fear of crime is on the rise, it is crucial for communities in Northern Ireland to consider real solutions to crime and reoffending. 

The experiences of children and the criminal justice system are deeply concerning in a number of ways.  The minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) continues to be ten years. The ages of criminal responsibility in Ireland and England, Wales and Northern Ireland are among not just the lowest in Europe, but also in the world. It is clear that custody is not being used as a measure of last resort.

In October 2009, 10 of the 26 children in the Juvenile Justice Centre were from a care background. Concerns have consistently been raised that children who are disruptive in care homes are too easily moved into the criminal justice system.   On 30 November 2007 there were 30 children in the Juvenile Justice Centre. Of these, 20 had a diagnosed mental health disorder; 17 had a history of self harm; 8 had at least one suicide attempt on record; 8 were on the child protection register; and 14 had a statement of educational needs. Children and young people who are detained in custody have no right under current law to be educated in line with the Northern Ireland curriculum. Education is not compulsory in Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre and children and young people who are detained there can opt out of education – even those who are below the compulsory school leaving age.

According to the Northern Ireland Crime Survey (2009-2010) there is a 1 in 7 chance of becoming a victim of crime.  Crime is a socio-economic issue - people who are most likely to experience crime live in rented/social housing; regularly socialise; are young men aged between 16 and 24 years old; or live in areas with a high incidence of anti-social behaviour. Single people and men aged 16 to 24 are also included as most likely to become a victim of crime.

In order to realise our vision of a Northern Ireland with a fair, rights based criminal justice system which enjoys public confidence, politicians and political parties should:

• Commit to a root and branch reform of the Northern Ireland prison system to create a framework grounded in upholding human rights with a firm and discernable focus on rehabilitation, reintegration and resettlement.
• Redirect resources to support early intervention and preventative work. This should include work to reduce offending behaviour while ensuring that children who offend are responded to as children first, as well as initiatives which meet the needs of children and which ensures that very vulnerable young people, including looked after young people, are not inappropriately placed in the criminal justice system.
• Support initiatives aimed at the successful resettlement of offenders including those which help create access to employment and to introduce legislation that reduces the barriers  offenders face when seeking employment.
• Transfer responsibility for education in places of detention for children and young people from the Department of Justice to the Department of Education with urgency.
• Raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility in line with international recommendations to between 14 and 16 years.
• Recognise that issues relating to crime, justice and community safety cut across all NI government departments and that all must contribute to a reducing offending strategy.
• Ensure victims and witnesses receive appropriate, personalised support by endorsing initiatives to ensure all victims of crime receive dignified, fair and respectful treatment, timely and appropriate information, practical help (including protection from revictimisation and compensation), counselling (where needed), and support in dealing with the emotional impact and in dealing with the Criminal Justice System.