Custodial control or community alternatives? : an examination of the impact of the 1982 Criminal Justice Act in one local authority.

This thesis examines the impact of the 1982 CJAct in one local
authority with particular reference to the use of custody and community
alternatives.
Reference is made to the background to juvenile justice
developments in the 1970's and 1980's. The change in the philosophy of
responding to juvenile offenders during this period is highlighted. It is
argued that an increasing 'bifurcation' policy towards offenders is now
apparent and that the reaction against the 'welfare' approach to offenders
is resulting in more juveniles becoming subject to increased forms of
community control whilst custody is retained for the minority of 'persistent
or serious offenders".
The thesis examines data on 200 Outborough juveniles sentenced
to custody or community alternatives during the period 1983-1988. The
findings highlight the difficulties of determining which juveniles actually
constitute this persistent or serious minority for whom the government
maintains that custody should be reserved. The analysis demonstrates
that both custody and community alternatives are utilised for juveniles
with similar offending backgrounds.
An examination is made of sentencing patterns. social inquiry, IT
and school reports to the court, and the use made of the statutory criteria
governing custodial sentences. There are few. if any , research studies
which examine in detail the use of custody and community alternatives
over such a substantial period of time..
Findings which contribute to knowledge in the field include the
influence of social inquiry and IT reports upon the nature and length of
sentences imposed by magistrates. and the different pattern of sentencing
on white, Asian and Afro Caribbean juveniles which was discovered.
The research highlights the influence of local juvenile justice
systems upon the pattern of juvenile justice in England and Wales and
describes how the different agencies in Outborough responded to the
implications of the 1982 CJAct.

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