Custody alternatives are working for young people
Warwickshire’s Youth Offending Service is welcoming new figures showing the number of young people receiving custodial sentences in the county is at its lowest level in five years.
According to the Youth Justice Board, 26 under-18s entered the custodial system last year, compared to 33 in 2005 – representing a fall of just over 20 per cent. The figures look even more promising this year with only three young people receiving sentences since January. It echoes figures nationally which are at their lowest level since December 2004.
This is particularly pleasing for the Youth Offending Service, which has been working as part of a multi-agency panel – including representatives from education, Warwickshire Police and Barnados – to ensure that effective and robust alternatives to custody are recommended to the courts.
These interventions, called Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programmes (ISSPs), are only given to under-18s. They include required supervision of 25 hours per week in the intensive part of their order; they are electronically tagged and have a strict curfew.
Together they spend time tackling the underlying reasons for their behaviour, investigating issues such as substance misuse, anger management and relationship difficulties. They will also consider the impact that their crime has had on their victims, their families and communities.
Heather Shilling, Operations Manager (Interventions) for the Youth Offending Service, said: “Our programmes are designed to address the issues behind the young person’s offending and also helps them understand the consequences of their crime.
“Intensive Supervision certainly is not an easy option and the courts in Warwickshire recognise that, with the majority of young people placed with us responding well to the programme and successfully completing their order with no further offending during that time.”
According to the Youth Offending Service, if at the end of the order the young person is in suitable accommodation, education, training or employment, then they will be less likely to re-offend compared to those leaving a custodial sentence.
John – not his real name – was subject to an ISSP some years ago. He said: “I was so grateful to be given the chance to complete an ISSP, as I was sure I would be sent to custody.
“The Crown Court process brought everything home to me in a big way and I wanted the chance to show I was sorry and willing to complete the order. I have learnt a lot.
“I haven’t offended for over two years now and mentor other young people. I’m really keen to help them see things from the victims point of view.”
For more information about the Warwickshire Youth Offending Service, visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/yot.