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Youth Custody & Human Rights Conference June 2011
The Law and Criminal Justice Centre, Plymouth Law School, Plymouth University in association with the British Society of Criminology Youth Criminology/Youth Justice Network (YC/YJN) and the South West Branch of the British Society of Criminology
Presented a conference entitled:
Youth Custody and Human Rights
2nd and 3rd June 2011
Venue : Roland Levinsky Building, Lecture Theatre 2, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA
Youth Custody and Human Rights Conference June 2011 Synopsis
A Youth Custody and Human Rights Conference was held in the University on 2nd and 3rd June 2011. The Conference was organised and sponsored by Plymouth Law School in association with the British Society of Criminology Youth Criminology/Youth Justice Network and the South West Branch of the British Society of Criminology. The photos in the photo gallery capture the tone of the Conference.
The purpose of the Conference was to consider and debate the highly topical subject of the sentencing, treatment and resettlement of young offenders who go into custody. The paramount international principles and standards in this area are contained in the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Although the UK is a signatory to the Convention, persistent criticism has been levelled at the UK by the UN monitoring committee and by leading criminologists, legal professionals and human rights organisations.
The controversial nature and timeliness of the subject, given the Minister of Justice Ken Clarke’s current efforts to reduce prison populations and the recent riots over the summer, attracted the media and the Conference Organiser, Dr. Patricia Gray, was interviewed on Radio Devon. Listen to the Radio Devon interview here. The topic also attracted twelve leading criminologists, academic lawyers, policymakers, practitioners and human rights activists in the field who gave talks around the three core themes of ‘Youth Custody as a Last Resort’, ‘Conditions Inside Custody’ and ‘Resettlement and Social Exclusion’. View speaker biographies and abstracts, and the videos of their talks.
Each main group of talks was followed by a “question time” debate which led to some lively and insightful participation by the ninety attendees. To read an article by Thomas Smith which outlines the main issues discussed, please select one of the following links:
T. Smith conference report - Word document
T. Smith conference report - PDF
This was a significant and prestigious event to be hosted by the University, and the feedback has been very positive and congratulatory. The conference organisers are currently considering publishing a book based on the proceedings, with several publishers showing an interest. In bringing together academics, policy makers, practitioners and human rights activists, a key aspiration of the conference was to have an impact on future changes to youth custody and youth justice to ensure compliance with the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
To read the conference working paper April 2011: Youth Custody, Resettlement and Social Justice. Prepared for the LCJC newsletter by Dr. Patricia Gray, Associate Professor in Criminal Justice, Plymouth Law School, Plymouth University, please select one of the following links:
Working paper April 2011: Youth Custody, Resettlement and Social Justice - Word document
Working paper April 2011: Youth Custody, Resettlement and Social Justice - PDF
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Keynote Speakers
| Session 1: Youth Custody as a ‘Last Resort’ (Thursday 2 June - pm) |
(a) Youth Imprisonment and the Punitive Turn. Read the abstract
Dr Tim Bateman, University of Bedfordshire
(b) Drivers to and Reducing Youth Custody. Read the abstract
Penelope Gibbs, Prison Reform Trust
(c) Campaigning to Protect the Rights of Young People in Custody and Activating the UNCRC.
Carolyne Willow, Children’s Rights Alliance for England
(d) Reducing Youth Custody in Practice. Read the abstract
Adrian Quinn, Bristol Youth Offending Team
Panel Discussion and Question Time Debate |
| Session 2: Conditions Inside Custody (Friday 3 June - am) |
(a) The Violence and Violations of Youth Imprisonment. Read the abstract
Professor Barry Goldson, University of Liverpool
(b) Inspecting Standards in Young Offender Institutions. Read the abstract
Nick Hardwick, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
c) Limiting the Use of Youth Custody.
Professor Rod Morgan, University of Bristol
(d) International Standards to Protect the Rights of Young People in Custody. Read the abstract
Dr Ursula Kilkelly, University College Cork
Panel Discussion and Question Time Debate |
| Session 3: Resettlement and Social Exclusion (Friday 3 June - pm) |
(a) ‘Deadly Symbiosis’: The Gang, the Neighbourhood and the Secure Estate.
Professor John Pitts, University of Bedfordshire
(b) Using the Law to Protect the Resettlement Rights of Young People Leaving Custody. Read the abstract
Professor Kathryn Hollingsworth, Newcastle University
(c) The Resettlement Needs of Young People Leaving Custody: Difficulties and Dilemmas.
Chris Callender, Howard League
(d) The Constraints in Delivering Resettlement Provision to Young People Leaving Custody and the Role of the Pilot Regional Resettlement Consortia.
Bob Ashford, Youth Justice Board
Panel Discussion and Question Time Debate |
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