Make Me a Criminal: Preventing youth crime
Article
This is an updated version of the report that was published in February 2008.
This report makes the case for a more therapeutic and family-based approach to youth offending, as opposed to the present, more punitive, system. The arguments for the proposed approach appear persuasive - not only on humanitarian grounds, but also in terms of economics and efficacy.
The UK suffers from two related problems that define the terrain within which youth crime is debated. First, evidence seems to show that we experience higher and more sustained levels of youth crime and anti-social behaviour than culturally similar countries. Second, the UK public experiences more fear of crime and concern about youth misbehaviour than citizens elsewhere. In turn, UK citizens are known to favour more punitive responses to youth crime than those in Sweden, Finland or Germany, and are less forgiving of youth misbehaviour.
But this may be changing. There is emerging evidence that sections of the public do increasingly accept that a more welfare-orientated approach to youth crime would be fairer and more likely to succeed than current approaches - particularly if poor parenting were tackled. A progressive policy agenda for crime reduction can therefore find moorings in public attitudes, although the task is a difficult and complex one.
Related items
Spring statement: A changed world calls for a changed course
If there are decades where nothing happens and there are weeks where decades happen, the last few weeks feel seismic. The prime minister was right to say the world has changed. Donald Trump’s re-election in November has unleashed a wave…2030 and beyond: Great British Energy's role in the green transition
The UK government created Great British Energy to help deliver secure, clean and affordable electricity.Who is losing learning? Finding solutions to the school engagement crisis
An alarming number of children are missing out on the social and educational benefits of school.