NCJ Number
186359
Date Published
2000
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This paper examines a community project to turn young offenders from crime to employment.
Abstract
A Youth Employment and Training Initiative (YETI) in Mackay, Queensland, invited eight known young offenders, leaders in a local youth gang, to exchange their criminal activities for employment. Seven youths accepted the offer and were given training and support that suited their needs, interests, and natural abilities; six gained work. However, 2 to 3 months later the YETI participants had all lost motivation and enthusiasm for work. This coincided with several factors: the release from jail of a close friend of one of the group, home problems, and changes in family structures. It also points to the need for post employment support to individuals making such a major lifestyle change. Twelve months later four of the original participants were continuing to work, only one had returned to crime (since desisted), and crime in the original gang’s “home territory” had dropped from second highest to less than the average for the rest of the area. The paper includes personal stories of some of the program participants, factors behind YETI’s success, and discussion of developmental and situational crime prevention. YETI was replicated throughout the area and demonstrated an 80 percent success rate in turning young people from crime to employment. Resources, references