32Youth justice centre or youth residential centre order[[14]](#endnote-15)

32 Youth justice centre or youth residential centre order[[14]](#endnote-15)

S. 32(1) amended by Nos 48/1997 ss 16(2), 17(3), 48/2006 s. 42(Sch. item 32.6), 43/2017 s. 21(1), 48/2018 s. 84(2).

(1) Subject to subsections (2A), (2B), (2C) and (2D), if a sentence involving confinement is justified in respect of a young offender a court may make a youth justice centre order or a youth residential centre order if it has received a pre-sentence report and—

(a) it believes that there are reasonable prospects for the rehabilitation of the young offender; or

(b) it believes that the young offender is particularly impressionable, immature or likely to be subjected to undesirable influences in an adult prison.

S. 32(2) amended by Nos 48/1997 s. 17(3), 48/2006 s. 42(Sch. item 32.6), 48/2018 s. 84(3).

(2) In determining whether to make a youth justice centre order or a youth residential centre order, a court must have regard to—

(a) the nature of the offence; and

S. 32(2)(b) amended by No. 48/1997 s. 16(1).

(b) the age, character and past history of the young offender.

S. 32(2A) inserted by No. 48/1997 s. 16(3), amended by No. 48/2006 s. 42(Sch. item 32.6).

(2A) A court must not make a youth justice centre order in respect of a young offender who at the time of being sentenced is under the age of 15 years.

S. 32(2B) inserted by No. 48/1997 s. 17(4), amended by No. 45/2019 s. 50(3).

(2B) A court must not make a youth residential centre order in respect of a young offender who at the time of being sentenced is aged 15 years or more.

S. 32(2C) inserted by No. 43/2017 s. 21(2).

(2C) If a young offender is to be sentenced for a category A serious youth offence, a court must not make a youth justice centre order or a youth residential centre order in respect of the young offender unless the court is satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist.

S. 32(2D) inserted by No. 43/2017 s. 21(2).

(2D) If—

(a) a young offender is to be sentenced for a category B serious youth offence; and

(b) the young offender has previously been convicted of another offence that is a category A serious youth offence or a category B serious youth offence—

a court must not make a youth justice centre order or a youth residential centre order in respect of the young offender unless the court is satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist.

S. 32(3) amended by Nos 48/1997 ss 16(4), 17(5), 48/2006 s. 42(Sch. item 32.7).

(3) The maximum period for which a court may direct that a young offender be detained in a youth justice centre or youth residential centre is—