The Pains and Gains of COVID-19 – Challenges to Child First Justice in the Pandemic

Abstract

The global COVID-19 pandemic has particularly affected justice-involved children. Youth justice policy changes and innovations have assisted communication and engagement with these vulnerable children during unprecedented times, while attempting to limit risks of contagion and criminalisation – all central tenets of the ‘Child First’ guiding principle for the Youth Justice System of England and Wales. While some changes have enhanced the experiences of some justice-involved children (gains), others have disproportionately disadvantaged justice-involved children in court, community and custody contexts (pains), increasing criminalisation, disengagement and anxiety. These pains of COVID-19 have effectively eroded the rights of this already-vulnerable group of children.

Children and young peoples’ lyrics and voices capturing their experiences within youth justice services

“…The role of a facilitator or peer mentor is useful to break down barriers perceived between children and young people and YJS. Offering such services within YJS but ran by external agencies (and thus reducing formal system contact) can be challenging due to lack of funding, but in this way might be less stigmatising and criminalising (Hampson et al , 2022).…”

“…Nationally, the pandemic impacted face-to-face contact and some wider areas of YJS’ support, such as substance use support and mental health access that could be offered, resulting in decreasing safeguards (Hampson et al , 2022). Government restrictions meant that phone calls were the primary means of contacting young people and garden/doorstep visits were used for those deemed to be most “at risk”.…”

“…The practitioner working alongside Femi contacted the research team for a second session as they had been excluded from school yet “in light of how well Femi opened up to [artist], I’d like to see this through.” This was just before Christmas and by the time a follow-up session could be arranged, Femi had been involved with a serious crime. This, along with lyrics below where young people highlight their enjoyment of lyric writing, highlight the value of engaging young people in pro-social activities that enable them to develop skills, something which was heavily reduced during the pandemic (Hampson et al , 2022).…”

“…Craig had the opportunity to meet with their YJS worker in person prior to their interactions moving remotely, something which was highlighted by HMI Probation (2020) as important in facilitating working together. Alternative means of establishing deeper relationships between practitioners and young people were also found during the pandemic through bike rides and walks (Hampson et al , 2022).…”

“…This was just before Christmas and by the time a follow-up session could be arranged, Femi had been involved with a serious crime. This, along with lyrics below where young people highlight their enjoyment of lyric writing, highlight the value of engaging young people in pro-social activities that enable them to develop skills, something which was heavily reduced during the pandemic (Hampson et al, 2022).…”