Parliamentary inquiry examines youth court system

A Parliamentary inquiry into the youth courts system in England and Wales was launched on Monday.

The inquiry will be chaired by Lord Carlile, with further support from members of both Houses, the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) and the Michael Sieff Foundation, and will receive written evidence submissions until November 18 this year, with oral evidence sessions following in late 2013 and early next year and a report scheduled for spring.

Evidence from youth justice and legal experts will be added to accounts from children and young people about their experiences with youth courts in an effort to answer concerns over the efficacy of current systems, including welfare of offenders in custody and how appropriate the Crown Court system is for dealing with the most serious cases.

The inquiry comes in the wake of an incident in Edlington, near Doncaster, where two children who were known to the local youth courts system tortured two other young boys. Social services, South Yorkshire Police and other criminal justice elements were criticised over the incident.

A key area the inquiry will examine is whether youth courts are effectively preventing re-offending. Recent statistics found 70 per cent of offenders aged under 18 are reconvicted within one year.

Lord Carlile said the inquiry will go “to the heart of the youth criminal justice system”.

“We want to see an improved youth court that better addresses youth offending, and delivers a better deal for victims and wider society,” he said.

Enver Solomon, director of evidence and impact at the NCB, hoped it would “provide fresh impetus for improving how the youth court system works”.

“Given the significant number of children and young people that appear before the courts with complex welfare needs, it is imperative that decisions take account of their life circumstances and how best to ensure they are supported to stop offending,” he said.