Justice green paper 'will focus on change, not cuts'
Neil Puffett
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Reducing the use of remand custody, increased use of restorative justice and involving the private and voluntary sectors in work with young offenders will be key parts of the government's youth justice policy, youth justice minister Crispin Blunt has revealed.
Addressing delegates at the Youth Justice Board (YJB) convention in Newport in a pre-recorded video, Blunt said the forthcoming justice green paper offered the opportunity for real change, dismissing the notion that the emphasis is on cutting costs.
"Despite an increased investment in youth justice over the past government there is a lack of public trust about the system," he said.
"The public remains concerned about becoming a victim of crime. Too little is done to ensure those who offend pay back their victims and communities from the harm they have done.
"This is not about cutting spending. We have a once-in-a-government opportunity to think carefully and creatively about how we reform the justice system as a whole to more effectively reduce offending."
In addition to strengthening restorative justice approaches, Blunt said reducing the numbers of children remanded in custody while awaiting a court hearing is a priority.
"I believe the use of custodial remand is currently too high and I’m keen to see this addressed," he said.
"Spending on youth remand could be spent on alternatives in the long term to divert young people away from the system."
He added that he hopes to "free up" professionals by involving a wide range of partners in youth justice, including the private and voluntary sectors. "We are considering a number of options for doing this in the youth sphere."
Blunt also assured youth offending teams that there would continue to be a youth justice grant direct from central government outside the area-based grant.
In addition, he moved to reassure delegates that the transition of YJB function to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) will run smoothly. "The MoJ is able to lead an effective system going forward," he said. "By integrating we will bring existing experience from the YJB into the MoJ.
"We will ensure a dedicated focus remains on young people and the focus on preventing offending continues."
"Despite an increased investment in youth justice over the past government there is a lack of public trust about the system," he said.
"The public remains concerned about becoming a victim of crime. Too little is done to ensure those who offend pay back their victims and communities from the harm they have done.
"This is not about cutting spending. We have a once-in-a-government opportunity to think carefully and creatively about how we reform the justice system as a whole to more effectively reduce offending."
In addition to strengthening restorative justice approaches, Blunt said reducing the numbers of children remanded in custody while awaiting a court hearing is a priority.
"I believe the use of custodial remand is currently too high and I’m keen to see this addressed," he said.
"Spending on youth remand could be spent on alternatives in the long term to divert young people away from the system."
He added that he hopes to "free up" professionals by involving a wide range of partners in youth justice, including the private and voluntary sectors. "We are considering a number of options for doing this in the youth sphere."
Blunt also assured youth offending teams that there would continue to be a youth justice grant direct from central government outside the area-based grant.
In addition, he moved to reassure delegates that the transition of YJB function to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) will run smoothly. "The MoJ is able to lead an effective system going forward," he said. "By integrating we will bring existing experience from the YJB into the MoJ.
"We will ensure a dedicated focus remains on young people and the focus on preventing offending continues."
