14/12/2011 00:01:00
Those responsible for the justice system know only too well that one dreadful event, or a high profile court case, can have a devastating impact on prison numbers. The latest edition of the Bromley Briefings Prison Factfile reveals how the August riots, as well as causing harm and distress in communities, propelled an extra 846 people into our already overcrowded jails. This hit the prison service hard when it was already trying to cope with severe budget cuts and overcrowding largely driven by inflation in sentencing.
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08/12/2011 00:01:00
New research from the Prison Reform Trust and National Children’s Bureau (NCB), indicates that “looked after” may be a misnomer when it comes to some children in care. Most children are taken into care because they have been abused, neglected or experienced family breakdown. The state is supposed to look after them and protect them from further harm. Yet looked after children are far more likely to be convicted of a crime and end up in custody than other children.
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06/12/2010 12:26:00
Prison has a poor record for reducing reoffending – 49% of adults are reconvicted within one year of release – for those serving sentences of less than 12 months this increases to 61%. The average cost of each prison place is now £45,000.
The newly announced green paper should use all available evidence to create a fairer, more effective, more efficient criminal justice system.
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24/11/2010 09:43:00
Children with learning disabilities and other impairments are more likely to go to prison than other young people because the youth justice system is failing to recognise their needs, according to a major survey of youth offending team (YOT) staff.
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15/09/2010 09:00:00
In England and Wales in 2010 there are over 2000 children in custody at any one time. This study uncovers the real circumstances and backgrounds of children in custody.
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29/10/2009 17:11:00
A report that explores the experience and impact of youth conferencing in Northern Ireland, and looks at the potential benefits of introducing a similar model to the youth justice system in England and Wales.
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