Wednesday - December 12, 2007

Teenage offenders will avoid court if they say “sorry” to their victims

OH RIGHT. I CAN SEE IT NOW.  THIS’LL WORK, RIGHT?  UR CRAZY IF YA THINK SO.

Teenage offenders will avoid court if they say “sorry” to their victims under a major reform of youth justice.

By Graeme Paton, Education Editor
Last Updated: 2:42am GMT 12/12/2007

Ministers hope that the so-called “restorative justice” approach will drastically cut the number of young offenders by 2020.

In a policy blueprint, they said that children should “not receive a disproportionately harsh response” for committing low-level first offences.

Other young people convicted of more serious crimes should also be placed with foster families where possible instead of being locked up, they said.

The proposals - outlined in the 10-year Children’s Plan - have been criticised as a surrender to teenage yobs.

But David Hanson, the justice minister, insisted that it was “inappropriate” to severely punish young people for minor crimes.

In a wide-ranging blueprint for children’s future education, welfare and play, ministers also pledged:

• An overhaul of sex education, including more advice and contraception at specialist health clinics in schools.

• £225 million over the next three years to upgrade 3,500 play areas, ending the “no ball games” culture.

• A fresh crackdown on coasting schools, as comprehensives failing to ensure that 30 per cent of children gain five good GCSEs by 2012 are shut or merged.

• A review of the primary schools which could include more flexible start dates for children born in summer who are often at the greatest risk of falling behind.

Ministers said the 170-page strategy was designed to make England the “best place in the world for our children to grow up”.

It pulls together all policies for young people for the first time, focusing on education, health, the family, social services and youth justice.

In one of the most contentious developments, they said there should be a “complementary menu” of options to deal with young offenders - including those
convicted of a low-level crime for the first time.

The restorative justice approach, which has already been employed in schools to ensure bullies apologise to victims, will be tried on youth offenders from next April.

Although ministers fail to specify which offences it will cover, it is likely to include minor vandalism, the use of offensive language, shoplifting and low-level assault.

Mr Hanson said: “Court is often an inappropriate option for very young people who have never committed any previous offence, particularly if their first offence is very minor.

“By introducing this option for the police, bad behaviour can be nipped in the bud at the same time as the victim’s feelings are addressed.

“It also frees up the police to deal with more serious offences.”

But Michael Gove, the shadow children’s secretary, said the plan would make it “even easier for young criminals to get away with the harm they do to others”.

“We have a serious problem with rising violence in schools and rising youth violence on the streets,” he said.

“We need tough rules on discipline in school and tougher action on street violence but the Government unfortunately is going in the wrong direction.”

http://tinyurl.com/yr2ph5

Posted by Drew458     on 12/12/2007 at 06:39 AM   
Filed Under: • Crime •  
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