UK locks up most youth in Europe

The UK arrests and imprisons more young people than other
European countries, Brian Munday, senior lecturer at the European
Institute of Social Services told delegates.

The UK arrests a higher proportion of young people for every
category of crime except rape and murder, he said during the youth
justice debate.

The institute, based at the University of Kent, has recently
carried out a survey on youth justice projects across Europe on
behalf of the Youth Justice Board, with the aim of examining what
might be adapted for use in the UK.

“All countries struggle to hold the balance between child
welfare and the victim’s need for justice,” he said. “Most other
countries put more emphasis on welfare than on punishing young
offenders.”