Theme C: Youth sentencing

Question 1

What did the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 reform?

Answer 1

It reformed the system to help young offenders under 18, often from troubled backgrounds, not to reoffend.

Question 2

What type of justice did the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 move away from?

Answer 2

It moved away from retributive justice, which includes punishment such as prison.

Question 3

What are the two main focuses of the new youth sentencing system?

Answer 3

The two main focuses are rehabilitation and restorative justice.

Question 4

What is an example of rehabilitation in youth sentencing?

Answer 4

Community sentencing, education, and training to reform offenders.

Question 5

What is an example of restorative justice in youth sentencing?

Answer 5

Community sentencing and fines, allowing offenders to give back to society.

Question 6

What are the three main community sentences for young people?

Answer 6

1. Referral orders: the young person agrees to a programme of work to address behaviour with a panel of people from the local community and youth justice workers.
2. Reparation orders: the young person makes up for the harm caused, by repairing damage to the victim’s property.
3. Youth rehabilitation orders: the court decides what the offender must do for up to three years to help them rehabilitate and become law-abiding.

Question 7

What is the purpose of community sentences?

Answer 7

Community sentences aim to prevent reoffending through intensive unpaid work that punishes the offender, alongside education and rehabilitation through treatment or training programmes.

Question 8

What is a detention and training order?

Answer 8

A detention and training order can be given to offenders aged 12-17, lasting between four months and two years, with the first half served in custody and the rest in the community.

Question 9

What is restorative justice?

Answer 9

Restorative justice is part of a community sentence that aims to repair the harm done by an offender’s actions and restore balance.

Question 10

What do Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) do?

Answer 10

YOTs work with police, health and education teams, probation officers, charities, and the community to rehabilitate offenders and prevent reoffending by addressing the young person’s problems.

Question 11

How do YOTs help safeguard welfare?

Answer 11

YOTs help safeguard welfare by dealing with issues such as drug or alcohol treatment, or courses in anger management and decision-making.