The Children and Young People Centre for Justice (CYCJ) welcomed the opportunity to respond to the call for evidence from the independent Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission in May 2025. You can read the full consultation document here
Summary of CYCJ’s position
Our response draws from our practice, participation, research and policy expertise and evidence. We believe any sentencing changes must be rooted in both an understanding of the wider context for why children and young people come into conflict with the law, and an analysis of what the evidence indicates are the most effective approaches to reducing crime, protecting victims and creating safer communities. The conclusions we draw from this analysis is the firm belief in the need for a furthering of a trauma-informed, rights-respecting response to children and young people who come into conflict with the law. The evidence is clear that by understanding the needs and upholding the rights of children and young people, there is a better chance of addressing offending behaviours and building a more inclusive and safe society for everyone, including those who have been harmed.