AYJ Monthly Newsletter: July 2022
AYJ
NEWS
PARLIAMENTARY EVENT: ‘Perfect storm for children at risk?’
On Monday 20th June, as part of the impact of COVID-19 research project, the AYJ hosted a parliamentary event in collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University. Sponsored by Rob Butler MP, the event explored what action is needed from policymakers to weather the storm ahead, to reduce the risk of an increase in the number of vulnerable children in the youth justice system following the pandemic. In particular it explored themes, findings and recommendations outlined in the recent policy briefing ‘A perfect storm for children at risk? Preventing a post-pandemic surge in the criminalisation of children'. Read an overview of the event here.
PARLIAMENTARY EVENT: ‘“We’ve not given up”: Young women surviving the criminal justice system’
On Tuesday 28th June, in collaboration with Agenda, the alliance for women and girls at risk, the AYJ hosted a parliamentary event to bring forward the findings of the Young Women’s Justice Project. Sharing the lived experience of young women who have had contact with the criminal justice system, the event presented proposals derived from the project’s findings for future action to key decisionmakers and stakeholders. Read Agenda’s overview of the event here.
AYJ UPDATE: Team changes
AYJ’s Chief Executive Pippa Goodfellow has departed for her year’s sabbatical, and we are excited to introduce our new Interim Chief Executive Saqib Deshmukh. Read more here about Saqib’s responsibilities and motivations in leading the organisation’s strategy, management and development throughout this period. We have also introduced our new Policy and Communications Officer, Mia Edwards. Read more here about her previous work and motivations in supporting the AYJ’s campaigning, influencing, and communications strategy.
AYJ
VIEWS
NEW POLICY BRIEING: Crises and crossroads for the children’s secure estate: Resisting child imprisonment and rethinking youth custody post-pandemic
The AYJ has released the third of three policy briefings for our ‘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, and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. The briefing finds:
Experiences in custody during COVID-19 have been brutal. New practices have emerged and cultural norms have shifted creating both significant risks and opportunities.
The pandemic response raises questions about leadership, oversight and structure of the estate.
Alarm bells are ringing about how an estate already on its knees will cope should the number of children in custody increase.
The briefing calls for:
A clear vision for the future of the children’s secure estate, including plans to close YOIs and STCs
Urgent action to repair the harms of the pandemic for children in custody
Concerted efforts to keep children out of custody
The full report can found here. CYPNow reports
In the lead-up to the publication of the briefing, the AYJ published 3 blogs from expert contributors focusing on the experiences of children in the secure estate during the pandemic. Read the blogs here:
The 'double hardship faced by children in the secure estate during COVID-19 - Dr Laura Janes
'If this were my child, what level of care would I expect and hope for?" - Dr Anne-Marie Day
Mapping out solutions for children in children's homes for welfare - NYAS