Mark Isherwood
North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood, who attended a ‘Justice in a Day’ event involving 40 Wrexham students, has praised the project which over the last few weeks has been giving North Wales teenagers an insight into the consequences of law breaking and the effects it can have on the offender, the community and those closest to you.
For the fourth year running, the ‘Justice in a Day’ project has been touring North Wales, calling at various locations including Mold, Llandudno, Prestatyn, Llangefni and Wrexham.
Educating 14 to 15-year-olds is the main aim of Justice in a Day which has again been developed by the Police and Community Trust (PACT) in partnership with Clwyd Theatr Cymru.
It also seeks to discourage young people from going down the route of criminality by making informed choices and it encourages good citizenship.
Professional actors from the theatre work with young people from schools where they follow a fictional character in a series of scenes from the time one of the characters breaks the law until sentencing at a local Magistrates Court. As each scene develops, opportunities also arise to investigate the cause and effect of being involved in law braking – not just for the offender but also on the victim, their families and the community.
Last week, Mr Isherwood visited the project in Wrexham.
He said:
“Justice in a Day is a fantastic project bringing current topics and pressures faced by teenagers and many young adults to life through an interactive drama. I was impressed by how it allows the young people to get involved in a frank, honest and open discussion in a bid to deter them from going down the route of criminality.
“The project was first piloted in Flintshire four years ago and the fact it is now being delivered in all the six counties is testament to the great work of all those involved in delivering the project.”
Dave Evans of the Police and Community Trust said:
“The production is aimed at Year Nine students and has always been extremely well received by the teenagers who have taken part in the day. Through drama, issues such as youth on youth assault, peer pressure, under-age drinking and use of social media are tackled.”
Tim Baker Associate Director, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, added: “Justice in a Day shows how theatre and role-play can pose real-life questions to and for young people. The interplay between the fictional story is played out by actors and the subsequent conclusion of the story in a real courtroom, with a working magistrate is thrilling, informative and challenging.”
