David Cameron’s vision for a ‘smarter state’ could see significant changes to the youth justice system being implemented in the near future, with a full review set to be completed by next summer.
The former chief executive of the National College of Teaching and Leadership – Charlie Taylor – will lead the review of the current system, in order to assess current approaches to preventing youth crime as well as the rehabilitation of young offenders, according to justice secretary Michael Gove.
Just for Kids Law, a charity that works with youth justice processes as an integral part of its work, has supported the Government’s plans, stating its hopes that the findings will be ‘meaningful’ and ‘innovative’.
The review is also expected to flag up ways in which the system can be improved, so that support services for children and young people are considered at each stage of the justice process and incorporated to a greater extent.
Director of Just for Kids Law – Shauneen Lambe – said that the current youth justice system in England and Wales was not working.
She added: “We believe that as well as looking at how to reintegrate young people into society after they have been in custody, it is important, and cost-effective, to look at how we can prevent children from being entered into the system.”
The review is part of a wider programme of changes to the legal system, which has recently included cuts to legal aid as well as court closures in towns and cities across England and Wales.