Final Thoughts
This project was successful in canvassing the perspectives of young people with experience of the criminal justice system. Young people who participated in the project felt that emerging adulthood is a unique developmental stage during which they do not feel they are functioning as a fully matured adult. They also noted that experiences of trauma and conditions such as FASD may delay or extend a young person’s transition from adolescence to independent adulthood.
Young people’s willingness to share their experiences of the criminal justice system highlight where they are being well served and where there are opportunities for change and improvement. The suggestions they provided ranged from those that would require changes to legislation and to address systemic issues such as racism and poverty, to more simple, low-cost measures which would be relatively easy to implement (such as providing youth with information about what programs are available to them and how to apply).
The following is a summary of ten of their most common suggestions:
- Train adults within the justice system, such as lawyers, judges, custody staff and Probation Officers, to work with young adults (including those of diverse backgrounds and experiences). This training should ensure these professionals understand the developmental needs of this age group and how to work with them in a trauma-informed way.
- Inform young people about what will happen to them within the justice system, in a way they will understand, and ensure they have the opportunity to get their questions answered.
- Sentence a young adult to custody only if this is absolutely necessary, such as if they are a danger to others in the community.
- Ensure any sentence a young adult receives provides opportunities to learn life skills and employment skills, and to gain work experience.
- Do not house 18–25-year-olds with older (and often more criminally-entrenched) inmates in custody.
- Limit the length of time a young adult can be on remand or waiting for a court date.
- Provide young adults on remand with access to programming.
- Ensure young adults are not isolated from their community or culture. This should include offering opportunities for emerging adults to gain and maintain knowledge of current trends, cultural references and popular social pastimes.
- Address the root causes of offending behaviour through counselling and support.
- Allow young adults to have their record expunged in the same way that those under 18 can have their record sealed or destroyed.
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