Emerald | Safer Communities | Table of Contents

Beyond pre-emptive criminalisation: towards a child-friendly youth justice

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Sean Creaney) — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - First, it is the intention of this paper to explore the impact of risk-focussed intervention on the lives of young offenders and young people defined to be ‘at risk’ of crime. Second, the paper considers ‘alternative perspectives’ and the prospect of a youth justice predicated upon the principles of informal justice, child-friendly values and the notion of inclusion. Design/methodology/approach - The first part of the paper reviews the theory and literature on early-preventative intervention in the youth justice system. The second part of the paper explores ‘alternative perspectives’, drawing on restorative justice, restorative approaches and diversionary measures. Findings - The paper presents three general findings. First, young people can be subject to youth justice intervention without a ‘presenting problem’ or offence committed. More pertinently this form of pre-emptive criminalisation violates the child’s human rights, due-process and legal safeguards. Second, young people who are drawn into the net of formal youth justice intervention can suffer from the stigmatising and labelling effects of being criminalised. Third, there is a pressing need for youth justice policy and practice to be transformed in order to allow for the implementation of more informal, diversionary and restorative measures. Originality/value - The paper has great value for students of youth justice, and policy-makers, especially the conservative-liberal democrat government who wish to cut costs, introduce Restorative Justice on a large scale and divert young people away from formal youth justice intervention.

Accommodation and Youth Justice

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (susan brace thomas) — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The paper examines a number of the problems young people in the criminal justice face in respect of their living arrangements and how these difficulties can impact on them and the decisions that are made when they are involved in the criminal justice system. It discusses some of the problems that have to be overcome, the role of youth offending teams and some of the initaives that have been developed to address young people's needs. Design/methodology/approach - It is a literature review based on research the author has undertaken over the last decade that incorporates the findings of other research, obtained from research reports, project evaluations, thematic inspections and contributions from the voluntary sector. It also refers to findings from analysis of Asset data. Asset is a standardised assessment tool used by youth justice practitioners in youth offending teams to identify risk factrors that will be addressed in supervision of young people subject to statutory orders. Findings - The paper summaries information from a range of sources about the problems's young people in the criminal jsuticve face whjen there are difficulties with their living arrangements. There can be additional difficulties (when compared to other vulnerable young people) because of criminal justice involvement. The paper analyses what some of these difficulties can be by describing the implications at some of the key decision making points of the system. The paper explores the role of youth offending teams which do not have statutory responsibilities for providing accommodation for young people and advises that this remains a resonsibility of statutory agences, altyhough one that is not always properly fulfilled by children's servcies otr local authority housing departments. Legislative responsibility is clarified with reference to recent case law. The paper concludes with mention of some of some relativelty recent initaives that have been taken in relation to resettlement in particular and their findings. The conclusions being that addressing housing need requries a co-ordinated approach from youth offending teams (as brokers and advocates) and that statutory servcies need to fulfuill their obligations ot prevent offending and assist young people to lead settled lifestyles. Research limitations/implications - The paper has largely reviewed existing materials, however it adds to existing material by providing an update on more recent developments and provided a discussion of the issues as they affect young people. Some of the information obtained from examination of Assets (by the author in the conduct of research) has not been published and the author attributes this to Asset review and not by publication. Also whilst many young peopel in the justicve system are experiencing problems which are not within the scope of youth offednign teams responsuibiklities to fuly resolve - tehre are therefore limitations to how far discussion around this aprticualr aspect of the analysis can be taken.Practical implications - The paper is important as it reinforces the need for statutory servcies to fulfull their obligation to young people in housing need. It is important for those engaging with young people who have housing difficulties to be aware of their problems and vulnerabilities - which can often be forgotten as statutory agencies can have a tendencey to see view them primarily as offenders and not young people in need. Originality/value - The paper re-visits a long standing problem that continues to require resolution. The paper provides a summary of the problem, indciates how it can impact on criminal justice decision making, the role of youth offending teams and some recent initiatives. It presents this information in one paper and discusses houing difficultis from the youth justice specifically, whcih dsicussion of young people and their housign difficulties may touch on but not go into in the level of depth that this article does.

Perceptions of work as a route away from crime

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Sam King) — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - Purpose: This article examines the perceptions of work as a means of desisting from crime from a group of male probationers. Design/methodology/approach - Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with male probationers to ascertain their views on desistance from crime and the factors which would enable or constrain them in their endeavours. Findings - Findings: The research found that individuals regard employment as a key conduit to maintaining desistance from crime, but that several barriers to achieving this exist. Crucially, the research found that individuals identified various difficulties associated with external agencies to whom they had been referred for assistance in obtaining employment. This poses questions of the current government’s approach towards expanding public-private partnerships in probation.Research limitations/implications - Research limitations/implications: The research is based on a small sample of twenty male probationers. However, the findings suggest that further research should be conducted in this area.Originality/value - Originality/value: The research examines an area of desistance which has previously received little attention. The findings are of concern for academics and practitioners concerned with desistance and recidivism.

The Police and Crime Commissioner Elections 2012

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Peter Joyce, Neil Wain) — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - This paper examines the elections for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).It seeks to analyse the policies were put forward by the candidates and evaluate the significance of the elections for the future landscape of policing. Design/methodology/approach - The research for this paper is library based, making particular use of primary source material. The objectives for this research are organised around key themes – preparations for the elections, the election contest, the election campaign and key issues that were raised, the election results and the significance of the introduction of the office of PCC for the future landscape of policing.Findings - The research established that most candidates put forward policies that would seek to skew policing towards combating low level crime and disorder. It highlighted issues relevant to the future landscape of policing, including the relationships forged between chief constables and PCCs, the politicisation of policing and the extent to which PCCs are held adequately accountable for their actions.Research limitations/implications - The research focuses on the 2012 PCC elections and identifies a number of key issues that may need to be addressed in the future either by academic or political investigation.Practical implications - The research suggests that future PCC election contests should receive improved publicity and attention should also be paid to the candidates' deposit It suggests that the future operation of the office should be subject to thorough investigation by the Home Affairs Committee.Originality/value - The subject matter is original and its interpretation is informed by both academic and practitioner perspectives.