US youth offending system mooted for London

Speaking at the Youth Justice Board’s annual convention in Birmingham, Stephen Greenhalgh, deputy mayor for policing and crime, said current methods of detaining and rehabilitating young offenders are expensive and ineffective.

He told delegates that alternatives, such as the Young Men’s Initiative from New York, should be considered.

“The programme gives them more of an educational experience to get them on the pathway to a better life,” Greenhalgh said. “We have got to look at that kind of thing as a way forward.”

The programme is made up of seven different strands including an “alternative to placement” programme, designed to help young people aged 14 or over to stay in the community rather than being sent to custody, or “placement”.

It also strives to create a “transformational relationship with an adult”, as well as increasing social and emotional competencies, and the employability of a young person.

Greenhalgh also indicated a desire within the Mayor’s Office to co-ordinate a devolution of youth justice budgets to local authorities, with the Greater London Authority acting in a management capacity across the 32 boroughs, purchasing services and creating economies of scale.

“What we could do if we were responsible for the budgets is work with local authorities to encourage the right behaviours and everybody wins,” he said.

“In London, we can work with local authorities to see meaningful devolution.”