AYJ Monthly Newsletter: October 2021
AYJ
NEWS
Young Advocates Podcast with Art Against Knives
Recently the AYJ and Leaders Unlocked Youth Justice Young Advocates recorded a three part podcast series where they interviewed the children and young people at Art Against Knives. The first episode focuses on stereotyping and the impact that has had on the young people interviewed, and the second episode focuses on education and warning signs. Listen for a lively and passionate discussion which provides a thoughtful reflection on society today. Thank you to Art Against Knives for facilitating these discussions.
Meet the AYJ member: Luke Billingham
AYJ Communications and Engagement Officer Millie Hall visited AYJ Associate Member Luke Billingham to find out more about his wide-reaching work within the youth justice sector. Luke takes on many roles including a Youth and Community Worker at Hackney Quest, a Research Associate for the Public Health, Youth & Violence Reduction project, as well as volunteering at multiple criminal justice charities including Haven Distribution (Books to Prisoners), New Bridge Befriending, and The Longford Trust. Read for a whistle-stop tour of some of Luke’s motivations and key interests including tackling serious violence and the significance of sport cages.
A thank you to Di Hart
The AYJ Board and staff team would like to take this opportunity to thank Di Hart, who has stepped down from her role as a Board member, following her valuable contribution over the last 3 years. Many of you will know Di and her influential work in the youth justice sector and we are delighted that she will continue to be a member of the AYJ. Thank you, Di!
AYJ
VIEWS
Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Bill begun its Committee Stage in the House of Lords last month. Ahead of the Committee Stage, AYJ hosted a briefing meeting for Peers in the House of Lords, AYJ members and others in the youth justice sector, examining the impacts of the Bill on children in or at risk of involvement in the youth justice system. Watch the meeting here. For a breakdown of each speaker, topic and links to watch the presentation and read relevant briefings, please see below.
Racial Disparities
Racial disparities
Jeremy Crook, EQUAL
Watch here; Read the AYJ’s briefing, pages 13-15 here; Read a joint briefing by criminal justice and racial justice organisations here
The Serious Violence Duty and Child Criminal Exploitation
Iryna Pona, The Children’s Society; and Tyrone Steele, JUSTICE
Watch here; Read the AYJ’s briefing, pages 9 and pages 20-22 here; Request two joint briefings on the Serious Violence Duty, one focussed on safeguarding and one focussed on information sharing, and a joint briefing on child criminal exploitation, by emailing info@ayj.org.ukTurning 18
Louise King, Just for Kids Law/Children’s Rights Alliance for England
Watch here; Read the AYJ’s briefing, page 8 here; Request Just for Kids Law’s briefing by emailing info@ayj.org.ukVideo and audio links in court
Penelope Gibbs, Transform Justice
Watch here; Read the AYJ’s briefing, pages 15-17 here; Read a joint briefing by Transform Justice, Just for Kids Law, and Fair Trials here
Ensuring Custody is a last resort
Children in custody and custodial remand
Dr Laura Janes, Howard League for Penal Reform
Watch here; Read the AYJ’s briefing, pages 6-7, pages 10-13, and pages 18-19 here; Read Howard League's brieifng here, and a blog post by Dr Laura Janes hereSecure Schools
Carolyne Willow, Article 39
Watch here; Read the AYJ’s briefing, page 24 here; Read Article 39 and NAYJ’s submission to the Public Bill Committee here
Secure Estate
Last month, the Urgent Notification process was invoked at Oakhill STC following a monitoring visit by Ofsted, HMI Prisons, and the Care Quality Commission which found widespread failings impacting the care and well-being of the children being held there. Following news of the failings, AYJ responded with a comment from our Director Pippa Goodfellow, highlighting the lack of urgency in reforming the youth secure estate, stating:
“…it is abundantly clear that these consistently stark warnings have not brought about the radical and urgent action that is required. The government must act now to set out a clear national strategy, drawing on expertise from across the sector, and significantly accelerate the pace of change.”
The AYJ has continued to correspond with the Youth Custody Service (YCS) and seek assurances about the impact on children, and convened a virtual meeting with our members to share information and inform our next steps.
More information on the situation at Oakhill STC can be found in the monitoring visit report, and in the letter to Justice Secretary Dominic Raab from Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector at Ofsted Amanda Spielman.
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