NCJ Number
140754
Date Published
1992
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The number of juveniles known to be committing offenses in England and Wales decreased by 37 percent, from 175,800 juveniles cautioned or found guilty for indictable offenses in 1980 to 110,900 in 1990.
Abstract
This decline was only partially accounted for by the decline in the juvenile population; between 1980 and 1990, the number of juveniles in the population fell by 25 percent. Juveniles represented 21 percent of all recorded male offenders in 1990, compared with 31 percent in 1980. Of male juveniles between 10 and 14 years of age found guilty or cautioned for indictable offenses in 1990, 63 percent were involved in theft or handling stolen goods, 21 percent in burglary, 5 percent in violent offenses, and 6 percent in criminal damage. Of males between 10 and 16 years of age who were found guilty or cautioned in 1990, 75 percent were cautioned. The number of juveniles receiving custodial sentences totaled 1,700 in 1990, compared to 7,900 in 1981. Reoffending rates of juveniles leaving custody were high. The number of juveniles held in Prison Service establishments on remand did not decrease in line with the decline in the number of custodial sentences. In 1990, 24,600 juvenile offenders were sentenced for indictable offenses. Appendixes contain additional data on juvenile offenses. 3 references and 6 figures