The University of Bath's Department of Social and Policy Sciences is carrying out the study for the Economic and Social Research Council.
Jo Phoenix, the researcher on the project, said the youth justice system is too similar to the adult one, and focuses on making people take responsibility for their crimes.
"Drive from central Government has created a contradictory system, despite the best efforts of those involved," she said. "When everybody is trying to figure out what to do about these young people, the one thing that gets lost is that they are young."
Phoenix has studied case files, observed court proceedings, and interviewed young offenders and youth justice professionals. She said her work has shown that the role of youth offending team workers can confuse young people, who are unsure whether professionals are there to help them or punish them.
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