Details of the number of places, the average unit costs and the average length of stay in each of the five young offender centres operated under my Department are set out in the following table. A significant proportion of children placed in young offender centres by the courts would be repeat offenders. A recent analysis of children placed in reformatory school, which cater for the older and more serious cases indicates that approximately 25 per cent had previously been placed in industrial schools. No up-to-date statistics are available on the average rate of re-offending, in line with international experience, for the age group in question.
The education programmes provided at the centres are very broadly based to take account of the wide range of needs and abilities of the children in question who can range in age from nine to 17 years. Among the subjects taught are, English, art, PE, woodwork, maths, metalwork, typing, computers, horticulture, religion, home economics, personal development and life skills. While many of the children present are under-achievers on their admission to the centres, the intensive educational programmes made available have enabled many children to complete the junior certificate examination and to achieve significant success.
