While this review has focussed on the workings of the youth justice system, it is clear that it cannot achieve transformation alone: in many cases, the solutions to addressing youth crime and creating a society in which there are fewer victims lie outside of the system itself. Our schools, children’s social care teams, mental health services, communities and families need to play a greater role in bringing about change than they currently do.
This review by no means seeks to excuse the behaviour of these young people. We strongly believe in young people taking responsibility for their actions and being appropriately penalised; no offender should ever be allowed to think they are immune from the law. However, if society wants to see youth crime tackled it must be prepared to make greater efforts to understand and address its drivers. As a society, we can do better than simply condemn these children for their crimes. We believe there are more effective and demanding ways of delivering justice than through punishment alone.
Published : 31st January 2012
Publisher : Centre for Social Justice [ More From This Publisher ]
Rights : Youth Justice Working Group
This resource is not currently associated to any Issues
This resource is not currently associated to any Campaigns
Have Your Say
Members are able discuss this resource in the BASW Member Forum. Please login to allow this feature.
Continuous Professional Development
Members are able to add an entry to their CPD record here. Please login to allow this feature.
