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It’s important that people are held to account for offending behaviour. However, it is also imp to respond to offending with appropriate sanctions that address the underlying causes, meet the needs of the victim, and reduce reoffending.
Info on Garda Youth Diversion:
It’s important that people are held to account for offending behaviour. However, it is also imp to respond to offending with appropriate sanctions that address the underlying causes, meet the needs of the victim, and reduce reoffending.
Info on Garda Youth Diversion:
A child or young person who receives a formal caution through the Garda Youth Diversion Programme (GYDP) is placed under the supervision of a JLO (Juvenile Liaison Officer) for 12 months.
A child who receives an informal caution can be supervised for up to 6 months.
A child who receives an informal caution can be supervised for up to 6 months.
Diversion is not suitable for all offences.
The nature of the offence, the views of the victim, the interests of society, and whether harm can be repaired are all considered before a decision on diversion is made.
The nature of the offence, the views of the victim, the interests of society, and whether harm can be repaired are all considered before a decision on diversion is made.
Before a young person is considered for admission to the programme, they must admit responsibility for their criminal/anti-social behaviour. Parents/guardians will be involved in the cautioning process.
Supervision normally includes active engagement with the JLO. It can involve the child agreeing to engage in certain activities or programmes, which can be designed to address the original offending behaviour.
A unique feature of the GYDP is ‘conferencing’. This can incl. mediation between the child and the victim.
Conferencing establishes why the child became involved in the behaviour, and seeks to find how parents/others can help prevent the child’s involvement in further offending.
Conferencing establishes why the child became involved in the behaviour, and seeks to find how parents/others can help prevent the child’s involvement in further offending.
A criminal conviction, while sometimes appropriate, can often far outweigh the crime. A conviction can result in lifelong punishment, creating barriers to employment, education and even housing. This is esp true for young people. These barriers can lead to further offending.
Diversion – as established in law – recognises young people’s ongoing development and capacity for change. It's an opportunity to divert young people from the full criminal justice system and prevent them from incurring a criminal record, all while tackling offending.
While the case in the media is a matter for the DPP & the Gardaí, the GYDP, in general, is a serious undertaking for children & their families.
It can give children an opportunity to address behaviours, repair harm & have a second chance. Diversion info: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/children_and_young_offenders/garda_juvenile_diversion_programme.html
It can give children an opportunity to address behaviours, repair harm & have a second chance. Diversion info: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/children_and_young_offenders/garda_juvenile_diversion_programme.html