On Wednesday 9 September the SDLP launched proposals for a radical overhaul of how our youth justice system should work here in the north.
The conference was addressed by a diverse section of people; some within the youth justice system and others outside, including those who felt failed by aspects of the wider justice system.
The PSNI, Youth Justice Agency, Include Youth, Children’s Law Centre, NIACRO and Sarah Holland all took part and gave invaluable contributions and testimonies and for that I thank them.
We all know that there are some serious issues surrounding the whole process of the devolution of justice, including the unnecessary and damaging delay. The SDLP has been consistent in highlighting those issues and challenging those most responsible for delivery. The conference heard in the strongest terms condemnation of those responsible, namely Sinn Fein and the DUP. While they may think it’s fine to play politics and position themselves using this issue, the SDLP believes these issues are much too important to play politics with.
When you hear the failures of the system from the Holland family and how they where let down, and realise that the only plausible way for reform is devolution, it’s time the two parties, if they really are serious about community safety, get their acts together.
Another message really needs to sink in to these parties – while devolution of justice is important, what is equally important is having the right policies in place to reform the system when we do get those powers. Because as it stands the system is simply not delivering to its full potential. The SDLP has outlined our youth justice policy, and we will be rolling out a program of work around it, as well as other key aspects of the justice system over the coming months; we suggest other parties listen up and follow suit.
A journalist very recently labeled the SDLP the “Social Democratic and Lock ‘Em Up Party” when it comes to tackling justice and crime; claiming we have no consistant policies when it comes to justice. That journalist was invited on Wednesday, but unfortunately was unable to attend. I’d be happy to sit down with him anytime to go over my Party’s consistant positions on criminal justice, and let him have the opportunity to acknowledge his mistake.
Back in Febuary of this year I blogged about the SDLP proposals which are here.
