Research for Change: Young People, Youth Crime and the Use of Custody on Teesside

Abstract

This Action study was established in 1997 by the Society because of our concerns about the sharp increase in the use of custody for chi ldren and young people aged under 18 in England and Wales since 1992. was selected as the site for the enquiry because the local Courts have an established pattern of using high levels of custody for juveniles. The research also took place during a period when the Justice Process in England and Wales was being reformed and reorganised via the Crime and Disorder Act (1998). MUltiple methods and sources were used to gather data and produce information. The sources included the views and experiences of serious and/or persistent young offenders and key decision-makers such as Magistrates and Judges. This action research study was designed as an intervention which would challenge and influence decisions within the local Justice System. The project is in the process of developing realistic and viable alternatives to custody for local Courts through Restorative JusticelVictim-Offender Mediation. The evidence of need for this type of intervention was established within the study. Introduction Aim of the Study This study about Youth Crime and the Use of Custody on Teesside was established by The Children's Society as a national and regional response to the substantial increase in the use of custody for young people in England and Wales since 1992. was selected as the area where the study should be undertaken because it is one of the locations within England and Wales where there is a pattern of using high levels of custody for young people. is locked into a cycle of high levels of crime and high levels of incarceration as a response to offending behaviour by young people. This cycle is underpinned by significant levels of socio-economic disadvantage and social exclusions. Research for Change explored ways of breaking the Criminal Justice aspects of this cycle from a wide range of perspectives. The study was a qualitative action research investigation which used multiple methods and sources to gather data and produce information. The sources included the views, experiences Munro, Change, Crime and Custody and perceptions of those who are the subjects of the Criminal Justice process along with those who administer it. The aim of the research was to begin the process of effecting positive change for and with young people at risk of custody on Teesside. The Children's Society believes that local neighbourhood and communities can benefit from reductions in recidivism amongst young people when counter productive custodial sentences are replaced by viable community based alternatives to The mission statement of the Children's Society is: To be a positive force for change in the lives of children and young people whose circumstances make them particularly vulnerable. The Children's Society position with regard to the use of custody for children and young people is: All children and young people experience just processes and retain their liberty unless containment is necessary to protect themselves and others from serious harm. Those under 18 should not be held in prison custody. The Children's Society describes itself as a Christian, Social Justice, Child-centred organisation which works in a multi-cultural and multi-faith society. The preparations for the enquiry began in January 1998 and the fieldwork was undertaken between June 1998 and November 1998. CONTEXT OF THE STUDY The National Context Since the mid 1980's and the failure of the short, sharp, shock response to young offenders by the first and second Thatcher led Conservative Governments, there had been a steady decline in the use of incarceration as a response to offending behaviour by young people in England and Wales since 1985. This fall reflected the figures for reported crimes in England and Wales. There was a significant decline in the rates of offending behaviour by children and young people (per 100,000 of the population) in England and Wales between 1985 and 1996. Although there have been reductions since 1985 in the known offending rate for most offence groups, increases have occurred for violence against the person (including common assault) , robbery and drug offences.