Boosting the Reading Levels and Attitudes of Young People who have Offended: A Review of the Evidence and the Lessons Learnt from an Evaluation of TextNow

Abstract

This article draws together the existing evidence which indicates that young offenders coming to the attention of the criminal justice system are very much below national reading levels. It then reviews the effectiveness of initiatives designed to improve the literacy skills of this group. The article then presents the results of an evaluation of TextNow, by analysing data on 230 young people who were known to have offended and participated in the programme. Both reading levels and reading attitudes improved. The article concludes by drawing the lessons learnt from the programme; regarding the length of the programme, its content and mode of delivery, and the importance of rewarding participation and progress.