Teenager in prison 'vicious circle' instead of care home

The mother of a young woman with complex special needs who has been placed in Hydebank Wood prison due to violent outbursts and a lack of suitable accommodation said she is in a "vicious circle".

Jennifer Rodgers said her daughter Sophie's behavioural issues led to the police being called because there was no other adequate help.

Sophie, 18, was granted bail in December but has had to remain in Hydebank because a suitable place in a care home could not be found.

She has never been convicted of a crime, and her mum is her advocate.

Jennifer thought her daughter was going to get out of Hydebank on Thursday, but said "probably by this time next week she's more than likely going to end up back in Hydebank".

Ms Rodgers later told BBC News NI that her daughter had not been released, as her case has been delayed by a week.

Sophie's story was first reported by The Detail.

The Northern Trust said it did not place anyone in Hydebank as it was "a matter for the judicial system" and added that current pressures on respite care and residential placements across Northern Ireland have caused "significant challenges".

It said it makes every effort to provide suitable accommodation for any young person who requires health and social care services and often these cases are complex.

Sophie was previously placed in the Juvenile Justice Centre (JJC) due to violent outbursts, but when she turned 18 the only option has been Hydebank Wood Prison.

Sophie has "a lot of trouble regulating her emotions" and when she can't express how she's feeling "it kind of builds and then the behavioural end comes out".

Her mum said her behaviours range from "putting holes in walls to attacking me, smashing up the place, smashing windows".

Sophie has been arrested over these violent outbursts but every time the charges against her have been dropped due to her mental capacity.

"About four times she's been assessed for her capacity of being in the justice system and each time she's found to have no capacity, so then the PPS will adjourn and adjourn and adjourn and then finally make the decision to drop (the charges), but until they do that she has to stay in Hydebank," said Jennifer.

Since Sophie turned 18 in August 2024, she has been arrested and detained in Hydebank multiple times.

"I have provided a bail address on four different occasions because the Northern Trust couldn't provide her with accommodation.

"She's a great girl when she's in the right frame of mind. She's kind, she's funny - very quick witted, would do anything for her family and sometimes I think that gets lost with all the issues."

Eamonn McNally, a solicitor at the Children's Law Centre, said "there should never be a justice response to a healthcare situation".

"Health needs to be planned for these young people both in childhood and for the transition into adult services.

"There should never be a situation where the only response is to bring in the police to deal with what should be dealt with by health."

Mr McNally said what Sophie really needs "is to be in the community at an appropriate setting".

"In Northern Ireland, right across the whole system, there are not sufficient provision in relation to children with complex needs who require specialist resident placements to meet their complex needs. It just isn't there.

"It's devastating for the young person, but it's also devastating for their parents."

The Department of Health said it "continues to engage with all trusts to ensure provision of suitable accommodation for those with complex needs" and recognises there is "a growing need for bespoke placements".

It added that mental health is a priority for the minister and "significant challenges" remain "across the mental health workforce, including psychiatry workforce" and "additional funding" is needed to address issues.

The first time Sophie went to Hydebank she had just been put into an adult disability placement.

On her 18th birthday, Sophie was moved and within a few days the police were called.

"She was arrested again and they (adult placement) evicted her on the spot - therefore she had nowhere to go and she had to go to Hydebank... so now we are just back in this vicious circle again."

A spokesperson for NI Prison Service said it "works closely with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust's (SEHSCT) Healthcare in Prison Team, who are responsible for healthcare in prisons" adding that "a whole society approach is required to address the lack of services, as well as support within the community setting".

Sophie has been accepted to an adult day centre but now she is on a waiting list for staff.

The "lack of services in Northern Ireland is shocking," said Jennifer.