Disrupting the Routes between Care and Custody: Learning from females in the care and criminal justice systems

Whilst only 1% of the general population have been in care, recent estimates suggest that up to 50% of children in custody have. These figures suggest a systemic failing in the provision of services to those with care experience, and perhaps in particular care-experienced girls (Laming, 2016). This project will explore the experiences of care-experienced females who are also involved with the youth/criminal justice system. A targeted literature review will examine messages from research and knowledge gaps. Semi-structured interviews with girls currently in care, and imprisoned women who have care experience, will be used to explore their experiences of the care and justice systems and their views on what needs to change. Interviews with professionals, including care workers and police, will explore their perspectives and recommendations for reform. Documentary analysis will enable a focus on how the care system currently responds to girls’ challenging behaviour.

Funder: Nuffield Foundation.