Young people get a consistently bad press in the UK. We hear far more about the problems they cause than about the positive contributions they make to society.
In fact, the activity of groups of young people is rarely serious or violent, and many believe that in reality gangs are no more common or dangerous than in the past.
But sensational media coverage has given the public the impression that gangs of young people involved in violent crime are out of control. The government has responded by introducing elements of zero tolerance policy. In response, politicians demand harsh punishments that go against the UK’s established principles of rehabilitation and child protection.
Conditions and treatment of offenders in detention in the UK have been frequently criticised. There is well-documented evidence of abuse, bullying, self-harm and suicide.
There are resources to prevent under-18s from re-offending, but young people aged 18-21 leaving detention centres get little support. Resettlement programmes are designed for adults and do not suit young adult offenders. As a result the rate of re-offending is much higher for 18-21 year-olds.
In the UK the age of criminal responsibility is just 10 years old. This means a 10-year-old child is assumed to be capable of taking full responsibility for his or her behaviour. The Committee on the Rights of the Child recommended that the UK raise the age to 16, which would bring it line with most of Europe.
Courts can place anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) on anyone aged ten or over, but in England and Wales an unequal proportion have been imposed on 10-17 year-olds. And 43% of young people who have broken the terms of an ASBO have been locked up – which goes against the principle of only using detention as a last resort.
Young people from the YMCAs in the UK have carried out research into the issues of youth justice in their countries. Download it here
