Locking up of young men down 57% in 4 years in N.Wales

THE number of young men being sentenced to “immediate custody” in North Wales has dropped by more than 50% over just four years, figures have revealed.

In 2011, 251 people aged under 21 were sentenced to immediate custody.

But by 2015, that number had dropped to 107 – down 57% – according to the latest available figures obtained by Delyn MP David Hanson.

North Wales Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones welcomed the figures and said he believed early intervention was key to helping keep them out of prison.

But former North Wales chief probation officer Howard Thomas believes a drop in the number of young men living in Wales could have a part to play in the statistics.

Both wanted to see more help for children in care to stop them falling into a life of crime.

The Crime Commissioner said: “It is extremely good to see a reduction in the numbers of young people sentenced to custody.

“In fact it is very important for me that we see a reduction in the numbers of young people coming through the criminal justice system.

“In my election manifesto I promised to work to help refocus lives towards positive outcomes for those most at risk of criminal- ity. Early intervention is key to this aim and we must ensure the right support is targeted to those who need it most.

“As we know, looked after children are particularly over-represented throughout the criminal justice system. These young people need effective and appropriate intervention, not an unnecessary criminal record.

“We need to work together with our partners to ensure this is what happens.”

Mr Thomas also welcomed the drop in young men sentenced to custody.

He said: “The latest figures clearly show a welcome drop.

“This must be seen as very positive as one of the very negative consequences of youth impris- onment is the high “return to crime rate” with seven out of 10 committing further offences on release.

“As youth custody prisons are by no means reformative the fewer young people going into prison must be to society’s benefit.”

Mr Thomas said the statistics did not say how many of the young men sentenced had been in local care in North Wales and believed there needed to be a multi-agency approach to help them.

He added: “I would like to believe the figures have dropped because of a change in sentencing, but I suspect it’s down to a drop in the number of youngsters living in Wales.”