Young offenders are being caught in a cycle of disadvantage, literacy problems and substance abuse, according to a study published today.
The Children Court: A National Study- which is based on the cases of 400 young people who appeared before the children's court in 2004 - suggests personal and social disadvantage is resulting in increased recidivism and isolation among young offenders.
The report, commissioned by the Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development, found that many young offenders have continued to reoffend and are now serving medium to long-term sentences as a result of "a collective failure to intervene in this disadvantage cycle".
Of the 400 cases examined, 10 per cent were female, 90 per cent were male, with the majority of the aged between 15 and 17. Many of the offenders also came from very specific locations within the court areas examined, the study said.
It also found that young people are more likely to commit public order, criminal damage, road traffic and theft offences. The study showed that 27 per cent of the young offenders did not live with either of their parents.
It said 59 per cent of the charges resulted in conviction, with 3 per cent being sent to the Circuit Court and 38 per cent not being convicted.
Other difficulties identified among the young people were alcoholism, drug abuse and criminal behaviour within their families.
The study - which also analysed the education histories of about a third of the youths - showed that only 14 per cent were still in school at the time of their court appearance and many had low literacy levels.
Minister for Children Brian Lenihan today announced a number of measures intended to tackle the shortcomings of the justice system in dealing with young people.
The measures include the increased provision of juvenile probation officers, three more district court judges to work in the children's court and an increase in the number of Garda juvenile liaison officers.
Sinn Féin councillor Felix Gallagher claimed the Minister's announcement was a "cynical attempt to buy the election".