Do Flood Mitigation and Natural Habitat Protection Employment Reduce Youth Offending?

Abstract

The present study examines the association between employment and offending for a sample of young offenders who are paid to work in a pilot programme known as the Skill Mill. First, we analyse a sample of 39 youths over a period of 10 years (40 quarters) to determine whether Skill Mill employed youth are more likely to desist from offending than a control group of youth who are not employed in the Skill Mill. Those youths employed by the Skill Mill committed 1.12 fewer offences per quarter than the control group (p < 0.001). In addition, offending rates among the Skill Mill youths decreased by 0.99 offences per quarter after they began work (p < 0.001). Next, we review results from semi-structured interviews with current Skill Mill employees and their supervisor that helps to unpack why the Skill Mill has been successful in promoting desistance. We conclude that programmes like the Skill Mill can mark an important turning point, and more specifically, a hook for change in the lives of young offenders.

Guest editorial: Safer communities, the environment and social justice: introduction to Special Issue

“…Therefore, training and vocational roles in environmentally related employment (e.g. flood mitigation programmes) that work with young offenders provide opportunities for rebuilding community attachment, decreasing the likelihood of serious offending or reoffending altogether (Long et al , 2019). Drawing on data from interviews and participant observation, Oswald highlights that the natural environment can provide a “neutral ground” for young people, where they can build positive relationships, learn valuable skills, and reconnect with the world outside of the high-pressure, conflict-driven spaces they typically occupy.…”

Exploring how employment schemes for young offenders aid desistance from crime

“…Programmes such as Aspire, Blue Sky, Cleanstart, Landworks and the focus of this study – the Skill Mill – provide employment for offenders in diverse areas such as gardening, painting and decorating, house clearance and creative work. Various evaluations have demonstrated that these programmes had a positive impact upon desistance (Aspire, 2017; Baker, 2014; Landworks, 2018; Long et al, 2019; Ministry of Justice, 2013). There are also numerous programmes that do not provide employment/training opportunities, but rather assist and support offenders to obtain full-time employment.…”

“…The purpose of the Skill Mill is not to act as an alternative to conventional methods of justice, but rather it is to give youths an opportunity to rebuild their lives and reduce their chances of resuming offending. Indeed, the Skill Mill has been found to reduce reoffending (Long et al, 2019). It is therefore important to gain a greater understanding of how such schemes aid desistance.…”

“…Various evaluations have demonstrated that these programs had a positive impact upon desistance (Aspire, 2017;Ministry of Justice, 2013;Baker, 2014;Landworks, 2018;Long et al, 2019). There are also numerous programmes that do not provide employment/training opportunities, but rather assist and support offenders to obtain full-time employment.…”