Good marks for youth court
15 Jun 05
Hamilton pilot for young offenders extended to a third year after study suggests good results
Positive indications of the success of Scotland's first youth court in reducing reoffending have led to its two year pilot period being extended for a further 12 months.
An independent report, conducted by researchers from the University of Stirling and TNS Social, found that only 16 per cent of young people sentenced by the Hamilton youth court had been further convicted and sentenced within six months, a lower rate than with comparison courts in Ayr and Falkirk.
Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson said that though the impact of the two year pilot court on offending will take longer to establish, initial research is "certainly encouraging".
Introduced in June 2003, the youth court is targeted at alleged offenders between 15 and 17 years old who have had three separate incidents of offending in the previous six months. By December 2004 there had been 611 referrals to the court, in which four designated sheriffs sit by rotation. The most common primary disposals were deferred sentences, probation orders and monetary penalties.
Ms Jamieson said: "Reducing youth crime is one of our biggest priorities and the Hamilton Youth Court pilot has contributed to meeting this challenge in an innovative and effective way. It has shown that it is possible to have a more efficient and effective system to deal with the problem of persistent offending by young people, and has reduced the time taken between an offence being committed and appearance in court."
Ms Jamieson added that that while punishment is a key part of the youth justice process, the problems that lead to crimes being committed in the first place must also be addressed.
"We will not turn our backs on young people. We will give them the chances to get their lives back on track, but we will also act swiftly and firmly to deal with the consequences of their behaviour. To do otherwise would be to fail the young person as well as the community."
A second pilot youth court was introduced in Airdrie in June 2004, also for a two year trial period.