A Study into Breaches of Youth Justice Orders and the Young People Who Breach Them

Abstract

This study concerns the incidence and aetiology of breach of youth community sentences. A between-groups archival study compared those who breached with those who did not, on socio-demographic and criminogenic factors. Breachers were a minority, likely to breach repeatedly and were similar to those who re-offended. Whether they breach or re-offend may depend on something other than the characteristics of the Order and the young person’s situation. Youth Justice Professionals should be mindful of the identified areas of need and responsivity when considering compliance.