When discussing Oberstown Children Detention Campus, its young people and staff, we encourage the use of fair and balanced language that avoids incorrect and stigmatising stereotypes.

Here is a glossary of accurate terminology that reflects Oberstown's child-centred, rights-based approach.

Young people

Use "young people" or "children" instead of terms like "offenders", “young offenders” or "criminals". to maintain a respectful tone. We refer to “young people in our care” and never use “detainees” or “inmates”. We characterise the young people sent to Oberstown by the courts as “young people in conflict with the law”.

Detention campus

Oberstown is a "detention campus" – it is not a "prison" or "jail”. It is not part of the Irish Prison Service. We refer to Oberstown as a "campus" to reflect its structured, supportive environment and the range of professionals, facilities and activities on site to foster learning and rehabilitation.

Staff

At Oberstown, front line staff working with young people are Residential Social Care Workers. They do not wear uniforms and are referred to by their first names. Terms such as “correction officer” and “prison officer“ are factually incorrect and are therefore not appropriate in the Oberstown setting.

Single separation

Refers to a behaviour management technique whereby young people spend supervised time away from the wider group. It is not “confinement” or “solitary confinement” – Oberstown does not have these practices. Separation in this context is when social care workers, in consultation with management, take a young person away from their peers to a space designated for separation, for as short a period of time as is necessary. Single separation is never used as a punishment, it is employed due to one or both of the following reasons:

• Where a young person is likely to cause significant harm to her/himself or others.
• Where a young person is likely to cause significant damage to property that would compromise security and impact on the safety of others.

Note that the young person remains in regular contact with staff members during single separation. This ensures the safety of the young person and helps ensure the earliest possible return to regular life on their residential unit and activities in the wider campus.

Rehabilitation

We use the term “rehabilitation" to describe the process of supporting young people in addressing and changing offending behaviour, aligning with Oberstown's objectives and CEHOP® model of care.

Transition

We refer to the process of a young person leaving Oberstown as a "transition" back to the community, highlighting the support provided for reintegration back into daily life after detention.