Protecting Our Youth: The Case Against Over-Policing in Care

Understanding the Urgency

Prof. Mike Stein recently responded to a proposal aimed at limiting the over-policing of looked-after young people, highlighting the urgent need to protect their futures. While the intention behind such policies is commendable, we must ask ourselves: how effective are they really in preventing the criminalization of our youth in care?

The Problem at Hand

As Stein points out in his letter, diverting care youth from the youth justice system not only helps them avoid immediate repercussions but also enhances their long-term prospects. Young individuals in care face unique challenges and vulnerabilities that often lead to their unwarranted entanglement with the law. However, we must unpack the complexities of their situations with caution and nuance.

"Diverting young people in care from the youth justice system and the associated criminalisation may help their future careers." - Prof. Mike Stein

What Does the Research Say?

Stellar academic research has shed light on effective strategies that can improve outcomes for youth in care. External studies reveal that simply diverting these youths from the justice system is often not enough. Key steps to mitigate criminal involvement include:

• Stable family foster care placements
• Academic success and school engagement
• Extending foster care placements beyond the age of 18
• Fostering relationships with positive family and community members
• Ensuring secure housing upon leaving care
• Offering robust support from leaving-care teams

The Role of Institutional Support

The absence of these stabilizing factors can lead many young people down a path towards involvement with the criminal justice system. Prof. Stein references significant evidence which clearly illustrates the negative impacts of unnecessary criminal justice engagements for these vulnerable youths.

A poignant report titled In Care, Out of Trouble, produced by the Prison Reform Trust, outlines many of these challenges. It's an eye-opening compilation of testimonials and facts that serve as a damning indictment of current societal approaches.

Shifting Perspectives

We are left with much to ponder. To combat the trend of over-policing young people in care, we must advocate for a collaborative approach. Communities, educational institutions, and government bodies should work in harmony to provide the type of support needed to keep these young individuals out of the criminal justice system altogether.

A Call for Dialogue

The conversation around youth in care and their treatment needs to shift from mere policy proposals to actionable changes that can genuinely uplift these young lives. Rather than merely considering how to divert them from metrics of criminality, we need robust, proactive strategies that ensure their holistic development and integration into society.

As Prof. Stein notes, the lack of substantial support and resources leads to more severe consequences not only for the youths themselves but for society as a whole.

The Way Forward

In closing, we urge all stakeholders to reflect on the stark facts presented above. Over-policing is not merely a policy issue but a moral one. We have a collective responsibility to defend our youth in care against the shadows of the justice system and strive towards building a society where every young person has the opportunity to thrive.