NCJ Number
185953
Date Published
May 1997
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This British report on youth crime and young offenders in rural areas of Great Britain was prepared in response to concerns by youth justice agencies about the problems of responding effectively to juvenile crime in rural areas.
Abstract
These concerns pertain to the relative lack of resources available to rural agencies and the range and complexity of factors that must be considered in developing effective responses. This report examines the factors that influence child and youth development in Britain's rural areas, particularly the way in which youth in trouble are stigmatized in their communities; how the lack of youth services contributes to boredom; and how limited employment, training, and housing opportunities can increase feelings of isolation and contribute to antisocial behavior and crime. In rural Wales, the additional factor of service provision in the Welsh language is addressed. The remainder of the report examines the contribution of crime prevention initiatives and the delivery of youth justice services by social service departments that serve rural communities. Many youth justice practitioners are worried that local government reorganization in England and Wales could lead to the marginalization or decline of youth justice services. There is already evidence that some authorities have cut their youth service budgets, and many local voluntary organizations are struggling to survive. This report identifies a number of steps that could be taken to ensure that youth in trouble in rural areas receive the quality of service available to their counterparts in most urban areas. The report advocates a reappraisal of the way in which youth justice services are delivered to youth who live in rural areas. Fourteen recommendations are offered.