Page 8 - JUSTICE Tackling Racial Injustice - Children and the Youth Justice System
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The roots of racial injustice in the UK run deep. Reports, reviews, and analysis have
offered evidence-based solutions for decades. Delays, varying degrees of adoption
and a lack of consistent political commitment mean that racial and ethnic disparities
remain an incontrovertible reality of our justice system generally and particularly so
in its impact on children.
It is commendable that, in recent years, the total number of children arrested has
reduced, and there are fewer first-time entrants to the youth justice system. However,
the positive developments have not been shared equally. Today, the number of Black,
Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) children in custody remains at 52%, despite
BAME children making up only 18% of the child population.
This Working Party of JUSTICE was convened in October 2019 as a result of our
deep concerns with the disproportionate representation of BAME children in the
criminal justice system. Since then, in many respects, the problem has worsened.
During that time, the killing of George Floyd and the protests that followed shone a
spotlight on racial disparity not only in the United States but also in the UK. That
spotlight does not tell us anything new but it confirms what the communities affected
have always known which is that their legitimate concerns are not taken seriously
enough. Racial discrimination thrives because structural disadvantage exists. While
individuals have an important role to play, their individual contributions, to either
perpetuating or combating discrimination, are dwarfed by the impact of the
institutions that make up the criminal justice system. It is the responsibility of the
system, and not the children, to change.
At the same time, we have seen that good practices do exist. Examples of child-
friendly approaches and programmes are found in police force areas, Crown
Prosecution Service guidance and courts around the country. But these need national
coordination and commitment.
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