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Knife crime: how former offenders can make great mentors for at-risk teens
Sean Creaney, Edge Hill University It’s widely reported that there’s been an increase in street violence, particularly in London – with the number of knife and gun crimes rising. While the causes are complex and multifaceted, victims and perpetrators of serious youth violence often lack a relationship with a trusted adult. One way to help…
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Feltham ruling shows youth custody fails to meet needs of vulnerable childre
Sean Creaney, Edge Hill University and Michael Richards, Edge Hill University By placing a 16-year-old child with mental health issues in isolation for a prolonged period of time, Feltham Young Offender Institution in London breached his human rights and contravened prison rules, the High Court has ruled. The ruling came a few days after Her…
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Hearing from the experts: giving young offenders a voice
Last week the Youth Justice Board launched their Young Person Participation Strategy entitled giving young people a voice in youth justice. The strategy outlines the importance of capturing the views and opinions of young people who offend. Also, what is made clear is that children SHOULD have the opportunity to get involved in decisions about…
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Spalding murders must not be used to justify more punitive responses to young offenders
Sean Creaney, Edge Hill University and Stephen Case, Loughborough University Two teenagers convicted of stabbing and smothering to death a mother and daughter in their own home in Spalding, Lincolnshire have been sentenced to life in prison. The extreme nature of the sentence – which means the two will not be eligible for parole for…
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Restorative Justice offers benefits to victims and offenders
Restorative Justice, simply put, is concerned with conflict resolution and the repairing of harm caused by anti-social behaviour and crime. It involves the offender accepting responsibility and apologising to the victim. It is good value for money and can provide great benefits to victims and offenders. Meeting face to face can be a powerful and…
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Young offenders views rendered invalid: children must have a stronger voice in the system
Across the youth justice system, young offenders’ views are not being listened to and in turn there has been a failure to act upon their wishes. But if this reluctance to allow youth offenders to have a say in the care they are receiving is not addressed, there will be a negative impact both on…
