This Report outlines the progress made in 2014 and 2015 in implementing the Youth Justice Action Plan (YJAP) 2014-2018. The “Tackling Youth Crime: Youth Justice Action Plan 2014–2018” focuses on children and young people who require targeted, strategic attention because their behaviour has led to their involvement in the youth justice system. The Action Plan sets out a number of specific goals and objectives targeted towards delivering better outcomes for children who get into trouble with the law, and to reduce crime and make communities safer. The Action Plan:

• Builds on the existing community policing partnerships and forums to enhance trust between local communities and their Gardaí.
• Emphasises alternative programmes for young offenders through use of the Juvenile Liaison Officer Scheme and the Diversion Programme.
• Focuses on outcomes-based contracts with community based organisations to help reduce re-offending by young people.
• Ends the practice of sending 16/17 year old boys to St. Patrick’s Institution.
• Prioritises resources based on evidence, research, tracked levels of recidivism and on the voice and experience of children involved in the youth justice system.

P.14 Profile substance misuse among children and young people subject to community sanctions / probation service supervision

The Probation Service’s studies on Drug and Alcohol Abuse among probationers included YPP. The Drug and Alcohol research revealed that 89% of offenders on probation supervision had either a current, or a previous, addiction issue. Similar to the recidivism study, the prevalence of substance misuse roughly correlated to the peaking of offending behaviour by age, which is a strong indicator that addiction among the offender group is a considerable risk factor.