Swift administration of justice is a key objective for the YJB and YOTs. An efficient justice process helps to ensure that young people are aware of the consequences that follow from their actions. Cutting delays in the system also reduces the opportunities for offending on bail. Click for more reasons why tackling delays is important.
The Government’s persistent young offender (PYO) pledge, announced in 1997, states that the time between arrest and conviction for these offenders should be less than 71 days (the average used to be 142 days). The pledge defines these offenders as young people aged 10 to 17 who have been convicted of a recordable offence on three or more occasions, and commit another offence within three years.
In April 2005, the Office for Criminal Justice Reform (OCJR) became responsible for fulfilling the pledge. The YJB’s regional managers, National Manager for Wales and monitors provide reports to the OCJR on local performance; they are also responsible for flagging up any issues of concern, and may provide some advice locally.
The YJB is reponsible for supporting CaseTracker and Crown Court Tracker and we also provide performance management reports to Criminal Justice Areas (CJAs). If you have any queries concerning performance information, or wish to be added to the distribution list, email performance@yjb.gov.uk.
Performance against the pledge
In April 2003 the 71-day national average target was supplemented by a requirement that every Criminal Justice Area should achieve the pledge.
Click to view the national and regional performance figures.
Click for information on the CPS charging initiative for PYOs.
Guidance and best practice
Access the good practice area for guidance, tools and protocols to support youth justice agencies in delivering swift administration of justice.
Key Elements of Effective Practice - Swift Administration of Justice
This guidance focuses on dealing with PYOs, but its core messages apply to all youth cases. It highlights the ways in which local practitioners, managers and strategic partnerships can ensure that young people are managed efficiently through the justice process. While the majority of this guidance is directed at YOTs (including contractors, volunteers and Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme (ISSP) workers), there is a key role for practitioners within the secure estate to ensure that young people are dealt with promptly and appear in court when required.
Six Steps to PYO Success
This is a checklist of measures for speeding up the justice process for persistent young offenders.
Any questions?
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