NCJ Number
142835
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 32 Issue: 2 Dated: (May 1993) Pages: 99-113
Date Published
1993
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article describes recent developments in youth justice in Norway and compares some of the key issues with those in England and Wales, particularly measures proposed or undertaken to manage habitual juvenile offenders; recent changes in policy and practice are explained.
Abstract
The Norwegian experience in managing juvenile offenders has a number of similarities with England and Wales as well as a number of differences. In all three countries there has been a growing acceptance of the need to balance the social- service approach to offending juveniles with the criminal justice approach. This trend has proceeded further in England and Wales, where the discretion of social work in dealing with problem juveniles has eroded substantially since 1969. In Norway, responses by child welfare authorities have been enhanced and community mediation has developed. These measures have been necessary to accommodate the criticisms of those who wish a firmer response to delinquents. In England and Wales there is a framework for the further development of an infrastructure of services for young offenders. Under the Children Act, local authorities are expected to take reasonable steps to reduce the need for using criminal proceedings against youth. Guidance from the Department of Health has suggested a range of positive measures that might be established, such as provision of support for cautioned youth and their parents. Progress in this area, however, has been constrained by the relative lack of flexibility at the pre-court stage and reluctance to allow anything that resembles sanctions to be delivered by any agency other than a court. In Norway, emphasis on diversion by prosecutors has hampered the development of intermediate sanctions that would be imposed by a court. There is a paucity of structured and intensive community- based provisions for juveniles. 5 notes and 17 references