Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre
Youth detention facility in Bangor, Northern Ireland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre (JJC) is a youth detention centre located in Bangor, County Down;[1] it is the only such facility in Northern Ireland.[2]
  Location in Northern Ireland  Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre (County Down) | |
| Coordinates | |
|---|---|
| Status | Operational |
| Security class | Juvenile Justice Centre |
| Capacity | 48 |
| Population | ~30 |
| Opened | 2007 |
| Managed by | Youth Justice Agency |
| Director | Mary Aughey |
| Street address | 1 Mosswood Close |
| City | Bangor |
| County | County Down |
| State/province | United Kingdom |
| Postal code | BT19 1TA |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
History
The Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 provides legislative basis for the JJC's operation. Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre opened on the Rathgael site in 2007.[3] It is for children of both sexes aged 10 to 17, held either on remand or having been sentenced by a court to custody.[4][5]
The centre aims to providing a safe, secure and caring environment, delivers anti-offending programmes, addresses development, health, educational and recreational needs and prepares offenders for return to family and community.[4]
A 2018 report by Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland was very positive about Woodlands, but noted the disproportionate number of Catholic children in the centre.[6]
A new unit was opened in 2024, increasing capacity to 48; the typical population is about 30.[7][4]