| The report, Reducing child imprisonment in England and Wales – lessons from abroad, looks at the steps which have been taken in Europe, Canada and parts of the US to counter over-reliance on child custody in recognition of the huge financial and social costs of child imprisonment. Many of these measures have succeeded in cutting prison numbers whilst simultaneously cutting youth crime.
Taking an innovative lead on youth imprisonment in England and Wales is essential, the report argues – particularly if policymakers and practitioners in England and Wales are to address a failing youth justice system which has delivered one of the highest child custody populations in the world, and an average of 2,932 10-17 year olds in prison at any one time.
At least half of the 15-17 year olds entering prison in 2008 convicted of non-violent offences, and 20% of the average child prison population made up of children held on remand, many of whom will be acquitted or given a community sentence when tried in the magistrates’ court [see the programme's report on custodial remand, Children: innocent until proven guilty? for more information on this]. It is vital that we take a fresh look at the youth justice system in England and Wales and end our expensive and ineffective addiction to custody.
Examples cited in the report include:
- The introduction in New York State of after-school centres as alternatives to prison remands and new community sentencing options offering intensive therapeutic interventions to address serious offending, which, combined with other changes, led to a 27% decrease in child custody numbers over a six year period and the closure of four child jails.
- Sweeping system reforms in Canada which saw a new law passed which imposed restrictions on the use of custodial sentences helping to halve the youth incarceration rate without reversing declines in youth crime levels.
The full report is available to download here
Read a selection of press coverage here:
BBC
Community Care
Children and Young People Now |
