Youth Justice Board Initiatives in Reducing Offending (From UNAFEI Annual Report for 2000 and Resource Material Series No. 59, P 144-163, 2002, -- See NCJ-200221)

• NCJ Number: 200229
• Author(s): Rob Allen
• Date Published: October 2002
• Length: 20 pages
• Sale Source: United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Presentation
• Language: English
• Country: Japan

Annotation

This document discusses the role of the Youth Justice Board in England.

Abstract

The Youth Justice Board was established by the Crime and Disorder Act 2 years ago. The Youth Justice Board is an executive, non-departmental public body that is set up by the Home Office and consists of 12 members. The members include a police officer, a magistrate, a probation officer, a director of social services, a doctor, a psychiatrist that is an expert on adolescent mental health, and a media and public relations expert. The Youth Justice Board is responsible for advising the home secretary and the government about the youth justice system and whether it is meeting its objective of preventing offending of young people. The Youth Justice Board also has a role in monitoring the operation of the youth justice system. Another duty is developing best practice--identifying and disseminating what works in dealing with young offenders, undertaking and funding research, and funding programs and projects that try to put the research into action. The board also funds youth offending teams and the detention facilities. The Youth Justice Board strives for fair treatment and opportunities for young people, respect for rights of victims of young people, and reducing crime among young people. Specific initiatives undertaken by the Youth Justice Board recently are prevention projects called Splash and Positive Futures. Splash provides activities for children during the summer holidays to keep them out of trouble. Positive Futures uses sports and recreational activities to engage the participation of young people. Intervention programs are designed for children that are in the youth justice system. The Youth Justice Board has funded more than 400 projects in restorative justice, education training and employment, parenting, drugs and alcohol, cognitive behavioral, bail support and supervision, and mentoring. Other measures introduced by the Board involve assessment tools for high-risk juveniles (ASSET); guidance on how to work in the youth justice system (information sharing); and training aimed at youth offending team members.