AYJ Monthly Newsletter: May 2022
AYJ
NEWS
AYJ Update: Saqib Deshmukh appointed as AYJ’s Interim Chief Executive
We are delighted to announce that Saqib Deshmukh will join the AYJ as our Interim Chief Executive from July 2022 for 12 months, while Pippa Goodfellow is on sabbatical leave. In his new role, Saqib will lead the AYJ through the next stage of our growth, working alongside the staff team, Board and network of member organisations at an extremely important time for children and youth justice. Read more here.
IMPACT OF COVID-19: Research Project Updates
Updates for the ‘Impact of COVID-19 on Youth Justice’ research project, delivered in collaboration between ourselves and the Manchester Centre for Youth Studies at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council:
NEW RESEARCH BRIEFING: “The Impact in a Secure Children’s Home”
MMU published a research briefing which provides the first case study exploring the impact of COVID-19 on a Secure Children’s Home (SCH).
NEW RESEARCH BRIEFING: “The Impact on Youth Custody”
MMU published the final research briefing for the project, which is the first case study exploring the impact of COVID-19 on a Young Offender Institution (YOI). CYPNow reports here.
NEW VIDEO: Youth Justice in Lockdown
Watch a short film co-created with children who worked on the project, including children in custody, to hear what they want to tell you about their experiences of COVID-19 and the youth justice system.
ICYMI: NEW POLICY BRIEFING “A critical juncture for youth justice: Learning lessons and future directions for a post-pandemic youth justice system”
AYJ recently published a new policy briefing which considers key challenges for the youth justice system that have been brought about, aggravated or accentuated by the pandemic. It examines delays to justice, children’s experiences of courts and sentencing, and the role of Youth Offending Teams. It considers future directions for justice for children, and calls for lessons to be learned from experiences during the pandemic.
EVENT SUMMARY: Exploring the Impact and Implications of COVID-19 on the Youth Justice System
MMU has provided a summary of the recent event that shared the project’s research findings in relation to the impact of COVID-19 on the courts, community and youth custody - including an expert panel discussion.
AYJ
VIEWS
AYJ Comment: £300 million funding for youth justice
AYJ responds to recently announced "£300 million funding to cut youth crime and make streets safer" for youth justice, including ‘Turnaround’, a new early intervention scheme backed by £60 million. Keith Fraser, Chair of the YJB, talks about the announcement here.
AYJ COMMENT: HMYOI Werrington inspection report highlights crisis in children’s secure estate
AYJ responds to the inspection report of Werrington YOI's distressing findings, including that violence levels over the last six months were higher than any other prison in England and Wales. CYPNow reports on the inspection, Howard League for Penal Reform responds, Prison Reform Trust responds.
A report on an independent review of progress at HMYOI Cookham Wood also raises concerns over continued violence, CYPNow reports. Meanwhile, the first Secure School to open in England has been granted royal assent, following the passing of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act. And Youth Justice Minister Victoria Atkins was questioned by the Justice Select Committee on improving prison conditions and the future of Secure Training Centres, revealing she hoped the first children would be placed therein 2024.
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