YOTs were given the target of reducing the reoffending rate of a 2005 cohort in areas such as pre-court disposals including: reprimands; first-tier penalties including fines and referral orders; community penalties such as supervision orders; and custodial penalties such as detention and training orders.
But the YJB's Youth Justice Annual Workload Data 2006/07 found the five per cent reduction target was not met in a single one of these areas.
The figures also suggested reoffending rates were highest among young people who had received a custodial sentence, with 64 per cent going on to commit further crimes. However, it was lowest among young people who received a pre-court disposal such as a final warning, with 24 per cent reoffending.
The report said providers of mainstream services such as healthcare, housing and education must play a full role in the care of young people who offend to reduce reoffending further.
- www.cypnow.co.uk/doc.
