Pilot scheme shows final warning to young offenders reduces crime

Re-offending in young criminals is being significantly reduced
as a result of the government’s reforms to the youth justice
system, according to a new report, writes Clare
Jerrom.

The report by Sheffield University highlights a 17 per cent
reduction in reconviction rates for young offenders placed on a
‘final warning scheme’, compared with old style juvenile
cautions.

The scheme was introduced in June 2000, and is followed by an
intervention programme to address the causes of offending
behaviour. It replaced the repeat cautioning of young offenders
with a statutory final warning.

Home office minister Beverley Hughes said: “We have replaced the
old ‘revolving door’ justice of repeated cautions for
young offenders with a firmer, faster approach to tackling young
offenders and dealing with their offending behaviour.”

“These figures are an endorsement of the government’s
approach to tackling offending by young people, and shows that we
are succeeding in our commitment to reduce re-offending by this key
group,” she added.

‘A one year reconviction study of final warnings’
can be found at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/whatsnew1.html