The need for fair youth justice

There has been a notable evolution in addressing ethnic disproportionality in the youth justice system. Keith Fraser, Chair of the Youth Justice Board (YJB), emphasises a shift in focus from merely tracking numbers to understanding the underlying structural and institutional biases that perpetuate inequalities. He notes that, despite efforts to tackle these issues, Black and Mixed ethnicity children remain over-represented in the youth justice system. Fraser remarked that "disparities linked to race often begin earlier in a child’s life and continue to shape results," revealing a complex web of social determinants influencing children's outcomes.

Recent statistics further illustrate this challenge, highlighting critical discrepancies in the lived experiences of children based on ethnicity. In 2022, for instance, 21% of Black children lived in persistent low-income households compared to 17% of their White counterparts. Exclusion rates in schools reinforce these patterns, with Black Caribbean pupils facing permanent exclusions at rates three times higher than White British pupils. The concerning child death rate for Black children, which stands at more than double that of White British children, underscores the urgent need for systemic reform.

To effectively address these issues, Fraser argues for enhancing partnership efforts across different agencies, including education and health, at local and national levels. While some progress is evident, such as small reductions in the remand and custody rates for Black children, the proportion of children of Mixed ethnicity in custody has alarmingly doubled over the last decade.

Fraser introduces the concept of "adultification," where Black children are viewed as older and less vulnerable than their peers, leading to biased assessments that inflate their perceived risk. This is evident in risk assessments, where analyses indicate that the likelihood of reoffending for Black children is assessed as nearly double that of White children. Fraser is keen on pressing for a structural reform that prioritises the interests of all children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In tackling the specific bias in remand decisions, Fraser highlights that even after controlling for offence type or history, Black and Mixed ethnicity children remain more likely to receive custodial remand. This continuation of inequalities is unacceptable, as many children remanded in custody do not end up being sentenced to remain there, indicating a need for an overhaul of how custodial decisions are made.

The YJB's renewed strategy aims to foster community-based alternatives to custody, enriching suitable supported housing, and enhancing collaborative efforts with children and families in decision-making processes. The promising results of culturally sensitive and anti-racist programmes are beginning to surface, demonstrating the efficacy of trauma-informed approaches.

Fraser's passionate advocacy is reflected in successful initiatives such as the Ether Programme, which has achieved an 86% reduction in reoffending among participants by focusing on race and identity challenges. Islington's innovative approach to pre-sentence reports illustrates a growing recognition of the utility of contextual data in improving outcomes for ethnic minority children.

The ongoing commitment to sports and physical activities through programmes like Levelling the Playing Field further illustrates the positive potential of investing in children from marginalised communities, helping them cultivate brighter futures. This holistic approach is essential toward creating a fair and equitable youth justice system for all children, regardless of their backgrounds