Young People in the Criminal Justice System
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Young People in the Criminal Justice System
Australian courts of law constantly deal with youth crime. It would seem that in the last decade young people have come up against the criminal justice system in increasing numbers. Public outrage at the antics and harm caused to the community by youth appears to be growing a tough approach dominating the media and public debate. (Edwards, 2011, p.5). The Australia Bureau of Statistics [ABS] (2010) notes that, “ In 2008-09, the rate of offenders in the criminal justice system was highest for people aged 15-19 years at 5,484 offenders per 100,000 people. The peak age at which young people had police proceedings brought against them was 18 years” (p.1). In 2012 a police operation in Far North Queensland called Colossal has resulted in 500 youths in more 2100 charges (Guppy,p.1) But what events occur prior to this age that predicts a criminal future. Is there a link between misbehaviour at school and the likelihood of at-risk children becoming criminals in the future? It will be argued that when children come to the attention of the police and, as adolescents, come into contact with the criminal justice system, they are already heading for a criminal future. Measures to prevent this from happening are diverse and will be this is examined in this essay. The perspective of social justice workers, the government departments and the police service will be explored. Evidence from the federal governments, 2012 “State of Australia’s Young People” report (Ellis 2012) and research by Renda, Vassallo and Edwards (Renda, Vassallo, Edwards 2011) will support this argument.
Prevention programs that deal with youth in the justice system often attempt to understand the causes of youth crime. And social change is at the core of these reasons. The lives of children do not resemble those of former generations. Parents are often at work, and physical punishment, like smacking is
Young People in the Criminal Justice System
Australian courts of law constantly deal with youth crime. It would seem that in the last decade young people have come up against the criminal justice system in increasing numbers. Public outrage at the antics and harm caused to the community by youth appears to be growing a tough approach dominating the media and public debate. (Edwards, 2011, p.5). The Australia Bureau of Statistics [ABS] (2010) notes that, “ In 2008-09, the rate of offenders in the criminal justice system was highest for people aged 15-19 years at 5,484 offenders per 100,000 people. The peak age at which young people had police proceedings brought against them was 18 years” (p.1). In 2012 a police operation in Far North Queensland called Colossal has resulted in 500 youths in more 2100 charges (Guppy,p.1) But what events occur prior to this age that predicts a criminal future. Is there a link between misbehaviour at school and the likelihood of at-risk children becoming criminals in the future? It will be argued that when children come to the attention of the police and, as adolescents, come into contact with the criminal justice system, they are already heading for a criminal future. Measures to prevent this from happening are diverse and will be this is examined in this essay. The perspective of social justice workers, the government departments and the police service will be explored. Evidence from the federal governments, 2012 “State of Australia’s Young People” report (Ellis 2012) and research by Renda, Vassallo and Edwards (Renda, Vassallo, Edwards 2011) will support this argument.
Prevention programs that deal with youth in the justice system often attempt to understand the causes of youth crime. And social change is at the core of these reasons. The lives of children do not resemble those of former generations. Parents are often at work, and physical punishment, like smacking is
Bibliography: Ellis.K. (2012), State of Australia’s Young People, Australian Government, Canberra Guppy,D.(2012), Fighting back at lawless juveniles, The Cairns Post , News limited Guppy,D.(25 August 2012), This is about offering chances for kids, The Weekend Post, News Limited Hagan.S Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (2012)Burning Bridges not Walls www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au accessed 20/08/2012 Jesuit Social Services,(2011) Programs retrieved from: www.jss.org.au accessed: 20/08/2012 Jesuit Social Services (2011) Justice and Crime Prevention. retrieved from http://www. Jss.org.au/programs /justice-and-crime-prevention accessed 7/08/2012 UNICEF