Upcoming Events
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RJC and Cambridge University - Leading a Restorative School read more
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RJC & AIM: Restorative Justice and Sexually Harmful Behaviour read more
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RJC Continuing Professional Development Workshop Programme read more
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Restorative Justice 4 Schools Training Courses read more
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Oxfordshire Restorative Justice Network Lunch-time Talks read more
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Restorative Justice: Creating a More Transparent, Responsive and Effective Criminal Justice System read more
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7th Biennial Conference of The European Forum for Restorative Justice read more
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An Introduction to Restorative Approaches for People working in Educational and other Youth Settings read more
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Oxfordshire Restorative Justice Network Lunch-time Talks read more
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Remedi - Mediating Sensitive and Complex Cases Training read more
Youth Offending: Early Intervention, Effective Rehabilitation
Thursday 23rd February 2012, Central London, 08:45 - 16:00
Youth offending is a serious issue that threatens many communities and families. The disorder in August this year sparked a national debate over the future of youth justice policies, service provision and sentencing. The youth justice system needs to be effectively targeted and tailored in order to improve outcomes for children and young people, address the root causes of youth violence and crime, and rehabilitate young persons to prevent re-offending.
The government’s Green Paper, 'Breaking the Cycle: Effective Punishment, Rehabilitation and Sentencing of Offenders' (December 2010), proposed radical reforms for breaking the repetitive cycle of crime in prison. At the heart of the reforms is offender rehabilitation, to enable young people to tackle health and social problems, and provide targeted local support to help young people into constructive employment and training. There is an emphasis on moving away from heavy-handed prison sentences to restorative justice approaches.
Following the riots in August, the Home Secretary Theresa May led a review into the growing problem of gangs and gang violence. ‘Ending Gang and Youth Violence: A Cross – Government Report’ published on 1 November 2011, examined the scale of the problem of gang and youth violence, analysed its causes, and identified what needs to be done by government and other agencies to stop the violence and turn around the lives of those involved. Young people at risk of being drawn into gangs and violence will be targeted at every stage of their lives – from toddlers to teenagers. To prevent the next generation of gang members, the government will develop a comprehensive approach targeting young people at risk of being drawn into gangs and violence.
This discursive forum will offer delegates the opportunity to examine the future for youth justice services, as well as discuss strategies for preventing gang crime, and ways of involving young people in restorative justice approaches. Delegates will also hear from best-practice case studies that will highlight effective programmes to support young offenders into work and help young people at risk of falling into a cycle of offending.
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