The head of Northern Ireland's new criminal justice inspectorate has pledged to make protection of children a top priority.
The inspectorate, created following a recommendation in Northern Ireland's criminal justice system review of March 2000, brings together inspections of youth justice services with those of the police, probation services, public prosecutions and prisons for the first time.
New chief inspector Kit Chivers said the group would carry out inspection work every year in each main area of the criminal justice system. He said a key priority in his work with the youth justice service would be the care and protection of children. The CJI will work with a number of bodies, including the Youth Justice Agency and the Northern Ireland Child Support Agency.
