The Director of the Oberstown Children’s Detention Campus, Damien Hernon, has highlighted early intervention as a critical factor in tackling youth offending following a week of heightened scrutiny over youth criminal activity. Speaking on RTÉ’s This Week, Mr Hernon stated that typical incoming youth share common characteristics, including being recreational drug users, having absent parents, and experiencing non-school attendance.
According to Mr Hernon, the practice of detention as a last resort for the shortest time possible is vital for reducing future offending rates. He noted regular discussions with the president of the district court, who emphasized that officials go to extreme lengths to keep young people out of detention. Entering detention at age 14 significantly increases the likelihood that an individual will remain in detention throughout their teenage years and into adult life.
Rise in Serious Offences and Operational Adjustments
Mr Hernon acknowledged an increase in serious offences committed by young people over the last four to six years. The tariff of offences has shifted from sexually harmful behaviour to taking lives through manslaughter or murder, creating complex behavioural challenges. Oberstown has responded to these challenges through a programme team, a key working team, and a placement planning process that monitors behaviour and programme progression.
Operating under an overall licensed capacity of 46 beds—catering for 42 males and 4 females—the facility ran at full capacity for 135 days over the past year. Mr Hernon noted that the campus currently has one available bed and has not refused any court referrals over recent months, maintaining that the facility does not operate a “revolving door” and lacks the release authority held by the Prison Service.
Did You Know? Oberstown is licenced for an overall capacity of 46, catering for 42 males and 4 females, and spent 135 days at full capacity over the past year.
Staffing Disputes and Health and Safety Data
Amid operational challenges, Mr Hernon called for a halt to a work-to-rule protest among Oberstown staff. The facility, serving as the State’s only child-detention facility, is currently locked in an industrial relations dispute with employees over safe staffing concerns. Fórsa union members have backed industrial action up to a full withdrawal of labour, citing worker reports of assaults and injuries requiring hospital treatment during periods of stretched staffing.
Mr Hernon maintained that health and safety data have improved, pointing to a 40% reduction in physical interventions this year, equating to 30 low-level interventions. Additionally, the facility reports strong staff retention, with 33% of employees holding between 5 and 20 years of service and another 33% having served 20 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the typical characteristics of young people entering Oberstown?
According to Mr Hernon, incoming youths are typically recreational drug users with absent parents and a history of non-school attendance.
How has the nature of youth offences changed in recent years?
Mr Hernon stated that over the past four to six years, the tariff of offences has escalated from sexually harmful behaviour to homicide offences including manslaughter and murder.
What is the current status of industrial action at the facility?
Employees represented by the Fórsa union have backed industrial action up to a full withdrawal of labour over safe staffing concerns, prompting management to call for a halt to the protest.
What measures do you think are most effective in addressing the root causes of juvenile offending before detention becomes necessary?
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