Trinity House Reformatory School, a high-security institution, was opened in 1983. Oberstown Boys School and Oberstown Girls School opened in 1991. The three schools merged in 2016.[6][7]
In 2016, a riot led to a major fire and the deployment of armed gardaí.[8][9]
In 2017, two offenders escaped after attacking a staff member with a crowbar. They were quickly recaptured.[10]
The deputy director describes it as "not a prison" and that residents are not prisoners, but "young people in conflict with the law."[8] Their model of care is built around "care, education, health, offending behaviour, and preparation for leaving."[12] There are two separate schools, Oberstown Boys School and Oberstown Girls School, operating under the patronage of Dublin & Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board.[13][14]
After release, residents return to their families or are placed in the care of the Child and Family Agency. Those serving long sentences are transferred to adult prisons at the age of 18+1⁄2.[8]
Notable residents
Due to laws protecting juvenile offenders, residents can in general not be publicly named.
^Meagher, John (21 May 2017). "Young Offenders: Inside Ireland's teenage borstal". Irish Independent. Oberstown has the capacity for 48 boys and six girls, although females haven't been sent here in years. The new school can handle up to 90 pupils - a provision, Bergin says, for the future.
