Why it matters: The Howard League for Penal Reform warns that the criminal justice system "routinely fails to give young offenders the support they need" and may be drawing children deeper into crime rather than rehabilitating them.
By the numbers:
203 people aged 10-17 were convicted in Suffolk in the 12 months to March 2023
66 of them reoffended within a year (33%)
This is higher than the previous period's rate of 31%
The 66 reoffenders collectively committed 490 new offences
A decade ago, the reoffending rate stood at 37%
What they're saying: "Academic research has shown that each contact a child has with the criminal justice system drags them deeper into it, leading to more crime," said Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform.
The bigger picture: Across England and Wales, youth offender demographics show:
86% were male
77% were aged between 15 and 17
70% were white, 16% were black and 5% were Asian
The other side: A government spokesperson said custody was only ever used as a last resort for children, adding that having fewer young people in prison means those who remain there are "potentially more likely to reoffend."
For context: The Howard League for Penal Reform argues that welfare and support should be prioritised over punishment for young offenders.
"If a young child is in trouble or behaving in a concerning way, the priority should be to consider their welfare and understand the reasons why this is happening, and to get them the help and support they need," Neilson said.
What's next: The government says it is "increasing access to education" and working through Youth Offending Teams to steer young people away from crime.
The bottom line: Despite a slight improvement from a decade ago, Suffolk's youth reoffending rate remains concerning and highlights ongoing challenges in the youth justice system.
