Offending careers of young people involved in crime - Anne Crowley|Church of England

Public concern about how to curb persistent child offenders led to the government proposal for secure training centres for offenders aged 12 to 14. By looking in detail at the social background, education and criminal careers of 19 children who would be eligible for these secure training centres, "A Criminal Waste" sets the new strategy in its proper context.;Based on interviews with the young people, their parents, their social workers and supervising officers, the study presents a picture of children denied a whole range of normal influences - a caring family, adequate adult supervision, appropriate educational provision, ordinary opportunities to achieve - often exacerbated by family breakdown, institutional care, school exclusion and abuse. The study also examines the response of the criminal justice system, and the attitudes to it of the children and professionals involved with them.;The report assesses current provision and provides recommendations for changes, both at local and national level.