8th December 2009
'Healthy Children, Safer Communities' is a new cross-government strategy specifically designed to break the link between poor health and youth crime.
The strategy focuses on early intervention to address health problems to ensure the underlying causes of poor behaviour are tackled before problems become serious or entrenched. It will also ensure that young people already in the system have their health problems dealt with more effectively.
Evidence suggests that health is a key risk factor in youth crime. Of children and young people in contact with the youth justice system, evidence shows that half have difficulties with speech and communication; a third have diagnosed mental health issues and/or is treated for substance abuse; and a quarter has a long-term physical complaint and/or learning difficulties.
Read the strategy document here.
Read the news release here.
Source: www.dh.gov.uk
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.