Despite many sensible ideas such as simplifying the youth court system, more help to parents and strengthening the professional workforce, the basic framework of criminal law will stay unchanged. Police and court powers will be increased, children of primary school age will still be liable for crown court trial and prisons will detain hundreds of young people each year.
Where is the truly reforming agenda: one that would deal with offending by under-14s outside the criminal justice system; phase out prison custody altogether for under-18s; and provide a flexible court response to child and family problems, using restorative justice and effective community-based programmes? Such an approach, if properly resourced, could really get to grips with the causes of youthful bad behaviour.
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