Messages From Young People in Custody--Focus Group Research

• NCJ Number: 186301
• Author(s): Juliet Lyon; Catherine Dennison; Anita Wilson
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 4 pages
• Sale Source: Great Britain Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: Research Findings, No. 127

Annotation

This report summarizes findings from 1998 focus groups held with juveniles in custody in England and Wales, so as to obtain their views on delinquency causes, their processing in the criminal justice system, and their projections about their futures.

Abstract

The youth emphasized the importance of good parenting in avoiding offending. Many of them had experienced disrupted lives, changing family relationships, absent fathers, and long periods of time in the care system. Most of the youth had limited contact with formal schooling. In custody, many valued cognitive skills courses, such as thinking skills, anger management, and offending behavior courses. Parenting courses were also greatly valued. Most participants had experienced considerable contact with professionals and organizations in the criminal justice system. In the main, they felt these contacts were unsatisfactory. This was particularly so with the interactions with the police. A number of black and Asian youth reported they had experienced racist attitudes and practices by criminal justice personnel. Many of the youth were critically aware of the meaning of growing up in prison. Many felt that prison staff were often undecided as to whether to treat them as adults or children. Participants were aware of the difficulties to be faced upon release and of the high probability of their reoffending; they emphasized the need for support and counseling. The majority of participants believed that finding a job was critical for successful resettlement and avoiding reoffending; however, they also felt that, with a criminal record, there was a reduced probability of being offered work. Drug users believed that they were at particular risk of reoffending. Many also believed that the difficulties of withdrawing from and staying off drugs were still being seriously underestimated. Although many of their ideas for change require action by others, most believed that their present situation and prospects for change were also their personal responsibility. 8 references