Cumberland youth justice cuts custodial sentences to one case

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 06:04 · Archive

Cumberland's youth justice service reduced custodial sentences from four cases to one in a year through early intervention.

Cumberland Council's youth justice service has achieved a significant reduction in custodial sentences, falling from four cases last year to one case this year. Members of the council's executive committee received an update on the Cumberland Youth Justice Service Annual Plan 2026-2027 at The Copeland Centre in Whitehaven on Tuesday, 13 October.

The approach emphasises early intervention and is more 'child focussed', with the introduction of special child custody suites designed to be exemplary places where young people feel safe. Councillor Helen Davison, chairwoman of the council's people overview and scrutiny committee, said the new approach gives young people 'the opportunity of turning their lives around'. Councillor Bob Kelly highlighted that a key part of the strategy is to stop young people being labelled as 'criminals'.

Counsillor Emma Williamson, the family wellbeing and housing portfolio holder, noted that while funding has remained 'stagnant', the service has improved every year. She cited a case study in which a young person who had been arrested 47 times was, after working with staff, now a police cadet. Senior police officers have praised the groundbreaking approach.

How it is being reported

• Cumberland youth justice approach cuts custodial sentences from four to oneA groundbreaking approach to youth justice, which has helped to reduce the number of young people ending up in custody, has been praised by police officers.Whitehaven News · 14 Oct, 05:00
• Cumberland youth justice approach cuts custodial sentences from four to oneA groundbreaking approach to youth justice, which has helped to reduce the number of young people ending up in custody, has been praised by police officers.Cumberland News · 14 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Cumberland Council · Cumberland Youth Justice Service · Helen Davison · Bob Kelly · Emma Williamson · Cumberland

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