13/04/2015

New College For Young Offenders Opens

A new college for young offenders at Hydebank Wood in south Belfast has opened.

The Northern Ireland Prison Service opened the college for 18-21 year old young men, which will address their offending behaviour through education, vocational training, mentoring and support programmes. Prisoners will be involved in a range of activities from Monday to Friday with a number of weekend activities also provided.

Justice Minister David Ford said: "The opening of the new Hydebank Wood College is an important milestone for prison reform in Northern Ireland.

"In 2013, more than a third of young people committed to Hydebank Wood had literacy problems and over half had numeracy difficulties. Through education and skills training the college will give more young people hope for the future and at the same time help to deliver a safer community in Northern Ireland.

"This unique college environment will support, stretch and challenge young adults, and help them to develop their skills and employability, address their offending behaviour so they can make a positive contribution to their community after release."

(CD/MH)

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