Rights of young people must be protected - Kelly

Sinn Féin MLA Northern Junior Minister Gerry Kelly met with criminal justice inspector, Kit Chivers last week to discuss his report into Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre.
The report contains 179 recommendations for improvement and said juveniles are treated inappropriately on arrival and that there are limited opportunities for young offenders to learn and develop new skills.
Gerry Kelly said that as part of the North’s ministerial team there was even more onus on making sure the rights of young people were protected.
“As ministers we have a responsibility to be advocates for the rights of all young people regardless of who they are or what they have done,” said the Republican representative.
“The Executive’s commitment to this is reflected in the fact that provision for vulnerable young people, including those in contact with the youth justice system, is one of the six priorities agreed by the Ministerial Sub Committee on Children and Young People.”
The North Belfast Sinn Fein MLA said he will visit Hydebank in the near future and speak to both the Governor and inmates to hear their views on both the report and the regime that exists there.
“As a society we need to constantly balance and improve the ways in which we protect society and rehabilitate those who have offended,”said the former Republican POW.
“The inspector’s report recommends ways in which this can be done and I would be keen to hear from inmates and staff at Hydebank. I will also be closely monitoring the implementation of the recommendations.”