About the YJB
Diversity
Young people in the youth justice system must be treated equally and fairly
The YJB believes that young people in the youth justice system should be dealt with equally and fairly:
- whatever their race or religion
- whether they are male or female, gay or straight
- regardless of any disability.
Research shows that Black and other Minority Ethnic young people are disproportionately represented in the youth justice system, compared with the make-up of the general population.
Oxford University research, funded by the YJB, also found that young people were sometimes treated unfairly on the basis of whether they were male or female.
Black and Minority Ethnic young people must be sentenced fairly and proportionately - the YJB remains concerned by the over-representation of Black and Minority young people in the youth justice system. We encourage and assist custodial institutions and crime prevention schemes based in the community to meet the needs of Black and Minority Ethnic young people.
One of the YJB’s corporate targets is to ensure that, by March 2008, youth offending teams (YOTs) have plans in place to ensure that different ethnic groups receive equal treatment for carrying out comparable offences. We provide guidance, tools and funding to help YOTs carry out this work.
The YJB has introduced new qualifications in youth justice in order to attract a more diverse mix of people into youth justice work.
The YJB is also rolling out a £45 million investment in early intervention. YOTs are being encouraged to include programmes aimed specifically at the needs of the Black and other Minority Ethnic communities.