Youth crime and youth justice: Public opinion in England and Wales

Description

This report presents the findings from the first national, representative survey of public attitudes to youth crime and youth justice in England and Wales. The findings illustrate the complex and multilayered nature of public opinion on this topic. They show that the public has a more pessimistic view of youth crime than is justified by official crime statistics. While most people say that they want the youth justice system to be tougher on young offenders, many are supportive of restorative or rehabilitative approaches when presented with detail on specific cases. Significantly, the report highlights that most people are demonstrably ill-informed about youth crime and youth justice issues. It carries clear policy implications in relation to both public education and reform of the youth justice system. Youth crime and youth justice is essential reading for academics, researchers, policy makers and practitioners in the fields of criminal justice, criminology, social policy, social work and probation.

Mike Hough is Professor of Criminal Policy and Director of the Institute for Criminal Policy Research, School of Law, King's College London. Julian V. Roberts is Professor of Criminology and University Research Chair at the University of Ottawa.