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YOUNG criminals will be hit by a barrage of new punishments designed to keep them out of jail but get them back on the straight and narrow under new rules introduced tomorrow.
For the first time, magistrates will be able to impose a Youth Rehabilitation Order, incorporating a choice of 18 tailor-made punishments.
The offender could be forced to do COMMUNITY WORK, attend a drug or mental health programme, be subjected to intense SURVEILLANCE and supervision, be electronically TAGGED or have a CURFEW imposed.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw said: "Breaking the cycle of youth crime is key to making our communities safer, preventing reoffending and putting young and vulnerable people back on the right track.
"The Youth Rehabilitation Order will deliver a serious punishment while also tackling the underlying causes of offending." The new rules make it harder for jail sentences to be given to young offenders, stating: "When a custodial sentence is imposed, a court must state its reasons for being satisfied that the offence is so serious that no other sanction is appropriate."
Max Chambers, Research Fellow at thinktank Policy Exchange, said: "This will apply to almost 6,000 under-18s sentenced to custody every year. Everyone wants the use of custody for young people minimised but the right way to do is to give councils incentives to tackle the causes of crime."
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This article has 3 comments
What do the youth of the day have to look forward to then?
Life on the dole? Or if they're lucky, flipping burgers in McDonalds! What future do they have?
Like their parents, their future is one of hopelessness! Betrayed by a political class that don't give a damn about their own people!
By simon smith.. Posted November 29 2009 at 2:06 PM.
Most kids get into trouble because they have nothing to do? or come from poor backgrounds with very little prospects in life.
So thats the way to deal with these kid's Jack!
Would it not be a better idea to help these kids learn new work skills and get them placements with employers or training centres, help bring out hidden talents, music and arts, not brand them, tag them.
maybe they should tag you and the goverment and make them you do community service for ripping off the state and subject them to intense surveillance.
have you any idea what message you are sending to these kids.
By Chriso.. Posted November 29 2009 at 10:30 AM.
1 way of keepin kids out of Jail is to make it not like a social holiday camp for them. threaten them with boot camp an the little idiots will soon behave.
By esc.. Posted November 29 2009 at 7:41 AM.