Cycle of crime and crisis is preventable
Quakers in Britain are supporting a strong coalition committed to preventing young people being pulled into a cycle of crime and crisis. Led by Revolving Doors Agency, the coalition says a smarter criminal justice system would intervene earlier giving young adults hope of a good life.
The coalition brings together Police and Crime Commissioners from across the political spectrum, police leads for young people, charities and academics.
The full text of their letter and signatories as published in The Daily Telegraph 21 August 2020:
“Last year alone over 50,000 cautions or convictions were handed to 18-25-year olds, for low-level and non-violent crimes, like theft. In later life these minor offences dominate the criminal record of adults, people who repeatedly offend now accounts for nearly 40 percent of all offenders.
“Behind these numbers lies misery, a revolving door of crisis and crime that destroys lives, families and communities. These offences are driven by persistent poverty and profound trauma, but they are preventable. A smarter criminal justice system would intervene earlier, giving our young adults hope of a good life.
“The preventative measures taken by police and Youth Offending Teams have shown what is possible, reducing the number of children entering the criminal justice system to the lowest levels on record. We can do the same for our young adults. We have a once in a generation opportunity to prevent the cycle of crisis and crime.
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These offences are driven by persistent poverty and profound trauma, but they are preventable.
- Letter from coalition
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“That is why our strong coalition, led by Revolving Doors Agency and our Patron Lord Patel of Bradford, are committing to action that prevents young adults from being pulled into the cycle of crime and crisis and diverting them away, into a better life. Our coalition brings together Police and Crime Commissioners from across the political spectrum, police leads for young people, charities and academics, all committed to change."
Paul Parker, Recording Clerk, signed the letter for Quakers in Britain.
Signatories:
Nathan Dick, Head of Policy, Revolving Doors Agency
Lord Patel, the Patron of Revolving Doors Agency
Chief Constable Jo Shiner, NPCC Lead for Children and Young People
Deputy Chief Constable Sara Glen, former NPCC Lead for Children and Young People
John Smith, Deputy PCC for Avon and Somerset
Kathryn Holloway, PCC for Bedfordshire
Barry Coppinger, PCC for Cleveland
Hardyal Dhindsa, PCC for Derbyshire
Martin Surl, PCC for Gloucestershire
Jeff Cuthbert, PCC for Gwent
Keith Hunter, PCC for Humberside
Lord William Bach, PCC for Leicestershire
Arfon Jones, PCC for North Wales
Paddy Tipping, PCC for Nottinghamshire
David Munro, PCC for Surrey
David Jamieson, PCC for West Midlands
Mark Burns Williamson, PCC for West Yorkshire
Joyce Moseley, Chair of Transition to Adulthood Alliance
Caroline Mason, Chief Executive, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
Duncan Shrubsole, Criminal Justice Lead for Lloyds Bank Foundation
Myron Rogers, Chair of Lankelly Chase Foundation
Alice Dawnay, Founder & Chief Executive, Switchback
Anne Fox, Chief Executive Officer, Clinks
Christopher Stacey, Co-director, Unlock - for people with convictions
Darren Murinas, Chief Executive, Expert Citizens
Emma Wells, National Secretary, Community Chaplaincy
Helen Schofield, Acting Chief Executive, Probation Institute
Imtiaz Amin, Co-director, Zahid Mubarek Trust
Jessica Southgate, Chief Executive, Agenda
Jo Anne Welsh, Chief Executive, Brighton Oasis Project
Kate Beech, Chief Executive, TACMAC
Kirsty Kitchen, Head of Policy and Communications, Birth Companions
Loraine Gelsthorpe, Director, Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge
Natasha Finlayson, Chief Executive, Working Chance
Oliver Standing, Director, Collective Voice
Paul Parker, Recording Clerk, Quakers in Britain
Peter Dawson, Director, Prison Reform Trust
Rose Dowling, Chief Executive, Leaders Unlocked
Siobhan Pollitt, Chief Executive, Back on Track Manchester
Vicki Cardwell, Chief Executive, Spark Inside
Professor Lorraine Gelsthorpe, Director, Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge
Professor Kieran McCartan
Professor Huw Williams
Professor Ben Crewe
Professor Jane Millar