Towards a Popular, Preventative Youth Justice System

Article

In 1998 Labour made significant reforms to the youth justice system. A decade later, these have yet to deliver a system which puts crime reduction at its heart. This failure to reduce offending derives at least partly from a determination to bring more offences to justice. This in turn seems to be rooted in the belief, widespread among the public, that the answer is a more punitive approach to offending. Quite simply, this has not worked and the current youth justice system does not reduce offending. This report proposes ways in which it could, as well as ways of creating public confidence in the system. It includes proposals for early intervention for preventative purposes, as well as for the extension of the system to some of those in the 18-21 age group.

In 1998 Labour made significant reforms to the youth justice system. A decade later, these have yet to deliver a system which puts crime reduction at its heart. This failure to reduce offending derives at least partly from a determination to bring more offences to justice. This in turn seems to be rooted in the belief, widespread among the public, that the answer is a more punitive approach to offending.

Quite simply, this has not worked and the current youth justice system does not reduce offending. This report proposes ways in which it could, as well as ways of creating public confidence in the system. It includes proposals for early intervention for preventative purposes, as well as for the extension of the system to some of those in the 18-21 age group.

Related items

  1. Graphic depicting a stack of pound coins in the background and one sideways pound coin displayed on its side in the foreground

    The full-speed economy: Does running a hotter economy benefit workers?

    How a slightly hotter economy might be able to boost future growth.
  2. The outside of Rochdale town hall on a sunny day, with flowers in the foreground

    Making the most of it: Unitarisation, hyperlocal democratic renewal and community empowerment

    Local government reorganisation need not result in a weakening of democracy at the local level.
  3. West Midlands Metro Tram at Victoria Square in Birmingham city centre during 2022 Commonwealth Games

    Transport and growth: Reforming transport investment for place-based growth

    The ability to deliver transformative public transport is not constrained by a lack of ideas, public support or local ambition. It is constrained by the way decisions are taken at the national level.