A “trauma informed” approach should be used to reform young knife offenders, the Chief Inspector of Probation said today.
Dame Glenys Stacey said there was “little point” in youth offending teams trying to persuade blade carriers to stop until they have addressed the underlying causes.
She said this meant listening to offenders and identifying problems such as domestic abuse and gang intimidation causing them to engage in knife crime. She added that this was “painstaking” work that could last many months.
Some politicians have called for more police, increased use of stop and search or tougher prison sentences to tackle the problem. But Dame Glenys — whose ideas are in tune with the “public health” approach now supported by ministers and Mayor Sadiq Khan — said the long-term answer was to “fill the gaps” in offenders’ lives so that they have an alternative to gangs and crime.
“More police on the beat are going to find where someone is carrying a knife, but a strategic investment in making sure that person never carries a knife again is what would make the most difference longer term,” she said.
“One thing that works is a trauma informed approach. If a child has experienced trauma — witnessing domestic abuse, being physically abused, unduly chastised, bullied at school, attacked, sexually assaulted — there is little point talking about changing their behaviour until they are ready.”
She added: “You have to put a lot of effort into building a relationship and understanding why they’ve offended, and what is likely to cause them to offend again. There is no point starting remedial work until you’ve gone through those steps.
“You’re trying to build the person’s sense of self-esteem and that they’ve got an alternative way of living. Is he employed, in education, in training? What sort of family support does he have, has he got a sensible place to live? You are trying to fill the gaps.”
Dame Glenys said that youth offending teams in some boroughs were beginning to adopt the new methods, and praised staff who were able to help turn youngsters’ lives around. Youth offending teams work with people who have become involved in crime, helping them at police stations and courts and then supervising them during any sentence they might receive.
MORE ABOUT