This qualitative research from the Prison Reform Trust and National Children's Bureau (NCB) explores the views of children in the UK with relevant experiences to the justice system. The main aim of this research is to enhance the understanding of why children in care are disproportionately likely to end up in the youth justice system or in custody. The research team explored the views of children with relevant experiences and, where possible, set these in the context of current research and policy. The research team conducted 23 in depth face to face interviews with children in care aged 13 to 17 years old. Children who participated had varied experiences with the youth justice system. The children held varied, and sometimes contradictory, views on the relationship between being in care and the likelihood of entering the youth justice system. Findings showed that there is no simple, universal answer to the reason why a disproportionate number of children in care enter the youth justice system or custody. The research team found that the likelihood of entry in the youth justice system depended on individual experiences and pathways, before and after entering care.
Prison Reform Trust
