YJB moves to tackle minority ethnic over-representation in youth justice system

The Youth Justice Board (YJB) said it is keen to encourage black, Asian and ethnic minority students to explore career opportunities in the youth justice system.

In a message to youth offending teams the YJB said it has already held a joint event with youth employment charity Elevation Networks to promote careers working with young offenders to students.

“We are keen to encourage traditionally under-represented groups to consider careers in the youth justice sector, as this is key to turning around the lives of children and young people from diverse backgrounds who are in the youth justice system.” the YJB said.

“The YJB is committed to addressing the over-representation of black and minority ethnic young people in the youth justice system. We have an important role in encouraging traditionally under-represented groups to consider careers in the youth justice sector.

“This is key to turning around the lives of children and young people from diverse backgrounds.”

Latest figures show that although the number of under-18s in custody is continuing to fall, the proportion of young black, Asian, and ethnic minority young people in custody is on the rise.

As of January this year there were a total of 921 under-18s in custody, of which 382 were black, Asian or from an ethnic minority background - representing 41.5 per cent of the total.

In January 2010 there were a total of 2,196 under-18s in custody, of which 629 were black, Asian, or from an ethnic minority background – representing 28.6 per cent of the total.

The issue of over-representation is currently one of the areas being explored by the review of the youth justice system being conducted by Charlie Taylor.