The assessment describes the two new orders, presents views on them, looks at the types of work involved, and considers the response of young people to them.

It looks at when the orders should be used and finds that there was a range of views on this issue. It suggests that demand for the Reparation Order will not increase greatly in the future, while the Community Responsibility Order is viewed as a useful and beneficial addition to the range of available options for addressing youth offending.

Recommendations focusing on practice, management and training issues are made and there are also recommendations in relation to the usage of orders by the courts.

The two new orders were introduced to Northern Ireland through the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002, and gave the courts more options when dealing with young people found guilty of offending.

The study was commissioned by the Northern Ireland Office in 2004 to examine the extent to which the orders have been used by the courts since their introduction.

A literature review was undertaken of existing and relevant research and related literature.

Desk research was used to gather general information about the implementation of the orders in practice, the management and practical issues involved, as well as statistical information.

Interviews and discussions were held with representatives of all relevant actors and stakeholders, including offenders, parents, magistrates and others.

The Community Responsibility Order was seen as a useful and beneficial addition to the range of available options for addressing youth offending, but demand for the Reparation Order was not forecast to increase.

The orders did appear to be successful in many ways and even although there were a small number of management and practice issues to be addressed, these were not considered to be taking away from the benefits for young people and the wider community.

Statistics and Research Branch, Northern Ireland Office
Phone: +44 28 9052 7534
crime.nio@nics.gov.uk

01/08/2006

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Urban Policy > Security & crime prevention > Tackling crime

Working with offenders