Fewer children in criminal justice system but vulnerabilities are more complex
A “whole-system approach” involving a range of public agencies is needed to help tackle the complex vulnerabilities that many of the children entering the criminal justice system have experienced, a report has urged.
The justice select committee sets out the complex vulnerabilities many of these children face, including mental health, social exclusion and substance misuse issues. [...]
Delays in the criminal justice system has devastating impact on 18 year olds
Severe delays in the criminal justice system as a result of the coronavirus are resulting in serious consequences for those who turn 18 between the offence and prosecution and are not protected by measures in the youth justice system.
A report by the Youth Justice Centre, which is part of Just for Kids Law, reveals that [...]
73% fall of children in custody
There has been a 73 per cent fall in the number of children in custody over the last 10 years, according to research.
There were 4,208 fewer custodial sentences handed out in 2018 than there was a decade ago – a fall of 73 per cent, the analysis by crime and justice specialists Crest has [...]
BME boys over-represented in young offender institutions
More than half of boys in Young Offender Institutions are from a black or minority ethnic background, a report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons has found.
The level of boys from BME backgrounds in YOIs in 2017-18 is the highest rate recorded since 2001 when the surveys in the secure estate began.
Nearly a quarter (23%) of [...]
Coalition argues against video links in courts for child defendants
Using video links for court cases involving children “impedes children’s participation in the process, prejudices outcomes and undermines the seriousness of proceedings,” campaigners have warned.
An open letter from more than 50 experts and organisations including representatives from the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers, Nacro, Children England and The Prison Reform Trust, urges the government [...]
Too many boys kept in YOI cells for more than 22 hours
Too many boys are being locked in their cells for 22 hours or more in Young Offenders Institutions, the chief inspector of prisons has warned.
Staffing constraints within the secure estate has impacted negatively on the boys being held there, the 2016-17 report found.
“In YOIs, boys reported poorer access to showers and telephones, and this is [...]
