NCJ Number
212507
Date Published
2004
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This fiscal year 2003-2004 report reviews the work, accomplishments, and goals of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales.
Abstract
The 12 member Youth Justice Board, which is an executive non-departmental public body whose members are appointed by the Home Secretary, strives to prevent offending by youth up to age 17 years. This delinquency prevention work is delivered through six main avenues: (1) advising the Home Secretary on the operation of the juvenile justice system; (2) setting standards for practice and monitoring performance; (3) purchasing places for juvenile offenders remanded or sentenced to custody; (4) identifying and promoting best practice models; (5) providing grant funding to local authorities and organizations serving youth; and (6) commissioning research and disseminating information. Following the Chairman’s forward, which overviews the Youth Justice Board’s work and challenges for the future, the importance of early intervention programs is underscored, as is the involvement of parent/caregivers in the intervention process. Early intervention in both anti-social and offending behaviors among youth is a central focus of the Board’s work and various programs, such as the Youth Inclusion Program, attempt to engage youth as young as 8 years old in neighborhood-based activities as a diversion from offending or anti-social behavior. Juvenile offense statistics in England and Wales are offered to demonstrate the need for, and the effectiveness of, multidisciplinary youth offending teams (YOTs). The Board also focuses on preventing recidivism in offenders who have been remanded or sentenced to custody and its programs and accomplishments toward this goal are enumerated. Finally, the 12 Youth Justice Board members for fiscal year 2003-2004 are introduced. Figures, footnotes