Diverting from criminal justice
Last month we invited short contributions for our website on downsizing criminal justice and rebuilding policy and practice alternatives to it. Professor Kevin Haines and Dr Stephen Case took up the challenge, writing a piece on an innovative approach in Wales that treats young people in trouble with the law as children first, offenders second.
Much criminal justice diversion work, Kevin and Stephen write, 'has involved diverting young people to "alternatives" that remain in the Youth Justice System and/or that retain the flavour of criminal justice responses'. They continue:
'Whilst these various diversionary measures are often couched in a positive rhetoric... in practice they reinforce an offence and offender-based approach to interventions in the lives of children in conflict with the Law.'
Kevin and Stephen explain the 'Swansea Bureau' approach, which diverts young people away from criminal justice, ensuring that they do not face prosecution or get a criminal record.
Recently the Chief Constable of Cleveland, Jacqui Cheer, argued that the police and the public are too ready to label as antisocial what previous generations would have accepted normal behaviour by young people.
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Do you want to share an example or idea on how criminal justice in the UK can be downsized? If so, we'd love to hear from you. And don't worry if you don't have 'Professor' or 'Dr' before you name. We're looking for fresh and interesting ideas, not academic articles. |