It is time we moved away from the perception that this argument is usedby "woolly liberals" to excuse youth crime. It is clearly in everyone'sinterests to find a better way of dealing with the problems that lead tochildren's involvement in crime.
While early intervention and prevention is crucial, we would also liketo see policies restricting the use of custody for children to caseswhere there is clear evidence that they are a danger to others orthemselves.
The trend for locking up more children, at a younger age and for lesseroffences, is damaging children - 28 have died in custody since July1990.
It is also damaging victims and communities, because more than 80 percent of children will reoffend within two years of release. Custody doesnothing to address the causes of youth crime.
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