Juvenile Justice System Ireland the Objective of Dissertation or Thesis Complete

Juvenile Justice System Ireland

The objective of this work is to examine the juvenile justice system in Ireland and then to compare it with the juvenile justice system of the United States. Additionally, the strengths and weaknesses of the juvenile justice system in Ireland will be examined as well as what improvements might could be made to the system, what the U.S. could learn from Ireland, and what aspects of each juvenile justice system are superior or inferior to each other.

The juvenile justice system is reported to be in a period of transition after the Children Act (1908) was replaced with the Children Act (2001) as the primary legislation that governs the juvenile justice system in the Republic of Ireland. (Seymour, n.d., paraphrased) The Children Act (2001) is reported to be representative of the first major legislative reform of the juvenile justice system in approximately one hundred years. There have been major delays in terms of bringing the Children Act (2001) into force, which has resulted in ongoing dependence on the outdated legislation contained in the Children Act (1908) in many areas. The Children Act (1908) while progressive at the time it was passed has received criticism "for being archaic and out of keeping with current thinking on juvenile justice." (Seymour, nd)

Criticism includes: (1) low age of criminal responsibility for children under seven years of age; (2) provisions relating to detention and imprisonment of children. (Seymour, nd) It is argued by some that restrictions placed by the old legislation are to blame however; others believe that "political neglect of the juvenile justice system is equally responsible." (Seymour, nd) The state has been on the receiving end of criticism due to its overemphasis on institutionalization and failure to addressed community-based options.

II. Trends in Youth Crime in the Republic of Ireland

Reports on youth crime in the Republic of Ireland show that recorded crimes involving juveniles have "remained steadily low over the past decade." (Seymour, nd) All juvenile cases in Ireland are reported to be referred "…centrally to the National Juvenile Office (NJO) under the auspices of the Garda Siochana in Dublin where a decision is taken on what action should be taken against them." It is reported that the total number of offences in which referrals were made to the National Juvenile Office has increased significantly from 14,488 to 19,080 in the period from 2000 to 2001 and again to 20,647 in 2002." (Seymour, nd) Reports additionally indicate that "…theft, criminal damage, drink related offences, public order, traffic offences, burglary, vehicle offences and minor assault are the most common offences for which young people are referred." (Seymour, nd)

III. Investment Projects

It is reported that there has been increases in investments in projects that serve to focus on the disadvantages and social exclusion among children and young people in Ireland in recent years but the approaches used to crime prevention has been characterized "by their non-integrated approach, lack of long-term investment and limited evaluation." (Seymour, nd) Reported as well is difficulty in terms of resources and planning however, it is reported that "…a number of crime prevention initiatives have developed on a national basis and plans are afoot to move towards a more integrated model of crime prevention." (Seymour, nd)

According to Seymour, the work entitled "A Crime Prevention Strategy for Ireland -- Tackling the Concerns of Local Communities' is inclusive of proposals for a National Crime Prevention Model. Includes proposals for a National Crime Prevention Model that would be developed locally, at the county and national levels and that would place an emphasis on long-term planning and investment and evaluation that is both regular and independent in nature. Widely available crime prevention initiatives in the Republic of Ireland are stated to include those as follows:

(1) Springboard Programme

(2) The Early Start Programme

(3) School Completion Programme

(4) Youthreach

(5) Garda Schools Programme

(6) Garda Special Projects (Youth Diversion Projects

(7) Copping On (Seymour, nd)

The present policy of the Garda Siochana is such that "young offenders are not prosecuted "unless their….....