COVID-19 has devastatingly exacerbated issues faced by children in a youth justice system under severe strain
The exceptional impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the youth justice system are documented in a new report published today.
The comprehensive report finds that COVID-19 has devastatingly exacerbated the issues faced by children affected by the youth justice system. The review calls for urgent and coordinated action to prevent more children being drawn into the criminal justice system in the future, due to increased vulnerabilities and social problems, as a result of the crisis.
The review was produced by the Alliance for Youth Justice (AYJ), as part of a series of papers that will be published over the life of The Youth Justice System’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic research project, delivered in partnership with the Manchester Centre for Youth Studies (MCYS) at the Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and funded by UK Research and Innovation.
The review finds that:
The devastating impact of the pandemic on children and families, and the heightened levels of safeguarding concerns, are major concerns for children involved with the youth justice system as well as those in the general population facing new and increased challenges.
The literature identifies a consistent theme about the lack of information, understanding and focus on children during the pandemic. The Government has often failed to distinguish between its approach to adults and children in their policy responses.
Throughout the various stages of the youth justice system, digital models of communication and service provision have been adapted. A clear ‘digital divide’ has emerged between those who have access to digital technologies and those who do not.
Across systems and services for children, including the youth justice system, there is a need for proper evaluation of the temporary measures implemented during COVID-19 before they become widespread and permanently embedded.
From decisions to arrest, divert or prosecute children in the community, to remand and sentencing, there was a clear need identified to work to reduce the number of children passing through a system that is struggling to cope.
The full impacts of delays on the courts and broader criminal justice system in the longer-term are yet to be fully understood but should be seen in the context of a system already under severe strain.
Custody numbers fell overall, but the proportion of children on remand has increased, and unambitious custody release schemes have been criticised for being completely ineffective.
The majority of children in penal establishments have been subjected to awful conditions for months on end, deprived of education, visits and contact, and amounting to solitary confinement.
The harms experienced by children in custody, and the impacts on their longer-term health and wellbeing must be fully assessed and supported effectively.
Pippa Goodfellow, Director of the Alliance for Youth Justice, said:
“Issues that are prevalent amongst children in the youth justice system have been significantly aggravated by COVID-19, with disadvantaged and marginalised communities suffering most. Children’s exposure to abuse, exploitation and violence have continued or increased, while the capacity of services has been severely impeded.
The momentous impact of the pandemic continues to unfold, with vast implications for all systems and services supporting children, families and communities, and throughout the various stages of the youth justice system, which has been under severe strain.
Concerted, coordinated action, with significant investment will be required to mitigate the negative consequences for children in the youth justice system, and to prevent criminalising vulnerable children who have experienced the most devastating harms of the pandemic.”
Professor Hannah Smithson, Director of the Manchester Centre for Youth Studies at the Manchester Metropolitan University, said:
“This is the most comprehensive review of the literature to date in relation to the impact of COVID-19 on the youth justice system. The next stages of the project will draw on the literature to inform an understanding of the impacts of COVID-19 on youth courts and youth custody.
The wider research project is making significant strides in drawing attention to the adaptations of working practices and service delivery across the youth justice system and the challenges it has faced. Most importantly, we are supporting children to tell their own stories. It is vitally important research that has the potential to influence youth justice policy and practice in a post-pandemic world.”
Findings from this review will be disseminated widely to the youth justice sector and utilised to inform the development of future stages of the project and recommendations for policy and practice.
The full literature review and executive summary can be found here
For more information please contact: info@ayj.org.uk