BORSTAL is back on the cards for wayward teenagers to stop them ending up in a life of crime.
It is among the ideas ministers are pursuing after looking at how other countries have cut the number of young offenders sent to prison.
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Borstal is back on the cards for wayward teenagers Credit: Corbis
Youth Justice Jake Richards MP said: ‘If young people are heading down the wrong path, it is essential robust, decisive support is there early before crime destroys their future’
Military-style academies in New Zealand have helped steer troublemakers into law-abiding futures.
Now there are plans for academies here — like the borstal detention centre system that ended in 1982 — to form a middle ground between warnings and a young offender institute.
About 80 per cent of prolific adult criminals began offending while still children and Minister for Youth Justice Jake Richards MP said: “If young people are heading down the wrong path, it is essential robust, decisive support is there early before crime destroys their future.”
The plan forms part of a landmark Youth Justice White Paper that also proposes youth intervention courts and greater use of orders to compel parents to address their children’s poor behaviour.
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Synthetic pepper spray was introduced to be used on children as young as 15 in young offenders institutes in a bid to tackle growing rates of violence behind bars.
Deputy PM David Lammy says the reforms will “tackle the drivers of offending so that fewer young people become trapped in cycles of crime”
Anti-knife crime campaigner and founder of Fazamnesty, Faron Paul, said: “Fazamnesty welcomes the Government’s proactive approach in the Youth Justice White Paper, which focuses on early intervention, prevention, and support for young people facing growing pressures and exploitation.
“Prevention is always better than cure.
“By working together with organisations like Fazamnesty and other community groups, we can help guide young people away from crime and create safer communities for everyone.”
