Includem calls for sentencing reforms to break the cycle of offending
Courts should focus more on rehabilitation when sentencing young people to break the cycle of offending, a charity has said.
In its response to the Scottish Sentencing Council’s consultation on youth sentencing, Includem warned that current guidelines often failed to take individuals’ backgrounds and personal circumstances into account.
The youth support charity said that failing to emphasise rehabilitation when handing down sentences can devastate young people’s lives and lead to further costs to society in the future.
Meg Thomas, head of policy and participation at Includem, said: “Our years of experience in supporting young people in conflict with the law tells us that most young people grow out of offending behaviour by their mid-twenties, particularly if they are supported to do so.”
Thomas added: “We have seen first-hand the devastation for young people when a sentence doesn’t focus on rehabilitation and fails to take into consideration their levels of culpability and willingness to make changes. For many, these sentences trap young people in a cycle of offending at a significant personal cost and a cost to the wider society.”
Includem works closely with young people and their families who are facing difficult challenges in their lives. The charity believes that its trust-based model, centred on the needs of each individual, is proof that young people can be supported to make positive life changes.
As part of its submission, Includem said it wanted to see more consistency in sentencing, a greater focus on maintaining continuity of relationships for young people, and more funding for and commissioning of services that can support rehabilitation and community sentences.
“The sentencing of young people is complex and challenging and requires a more individualistic approach, with a need to look closely at the personal circumstances of the young person,” Thomas said.
“We need the Scottish Government to ensure that the services that are needed to support young people on their journey of rehabilitation are properly funded and available to all.”
