Youth reoffending on the rise
Neil Puffett
Monday, October 31, 2011
Youth reoffending rates have risen in seven out of 10 local authorities, latest government statistics have shown, bucking a downward trend in recent years.
Data released by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) shows that initial estimates between January 2010 and December 2010, a total of 109 youth offending teams (YOTs) had higher reoffending rates compared to the same period in 2009.
This represents more than two-thirds of YOTs (69.4 per cent), with the remaining 48 (30.6 per cent) reporting lower reoffending rates.
The early estimate, which is provided to give YOT managers feedback on trends, paints a contrasting picture to the latest finalised figures for juvenile reoffending, also released by the MoJ.
These figures, which only go up to 2009, show a slight reduction with the proportion of juveniles reoffending within a year of a custodial or non-custodial sentence, warning or reprimand, standing at 32.8 for 2009. This is marginally down on the 2008 figure of 32.9 per cent.
Lorna Hadley, chair of the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers, said members will discuss the figures at the annual youth justice convention, being held in Brighton this week. She said it is too early to link any increase to YOT funding cuts.
A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "The government is clear that youth reoffending rates must be tackled and we are determined to reduce them.
"Our justice system is undergoing radical changes to ensure robust punishment and rehabilitation – we are strengthening community sentences and delivering innovative programmes which address the root causes of a young person's offending such as family issues, drug and alcohol abuse."
