Young offenders being helped by top sports teams
TOP sports teams are being brought in to help rehabilitate young offenders, ministers have announced.
The Leeds Rhinos rugby league club is providing training sessions at young offenders institutions, while the Saracens rugby union club is helping youngsters get coaching qualifications.
Manchester United, Everton and Fulham football clubs are supporting education programmes working with young people at risk of offending in the community. News of the Ministry of Justice’s strategy of using sports sessions to reduce reoffending rates comes a day after the department laid out plans which will see criminals with drug and alcohol problems escape jail.
Ministers say involving offenders in structured programmes such as sport can help them learn selfdiscipline and teamwork, as well as leadership and communication skills – all crucial for a successful life on the outside.
They say evidence shows that team sport can improve mental and physical health, helping young people with often complex behav- ioural issues to change their attitudes and lifestyles. Justice minister Edward Argar will today publish an independent review of sport and physical education in the youth justice system.
The review, authored by Professor Rosie Meek, highlights the vital role sport can play in rehabilitation and reducing reoffending.
Mr Argar said: ‘This review rightly highlights that sport can help to reduce violence, improve wellbeing and have a positive impact on rehabilitation. I want sport and physical activity to be a key part of life custody and I welcome the findings of this review.
‘We know that sport on its own does not provide all the answers, but it is a central pillar for helping young offenders to build skills which will ultimately reducing reoffending and help them to turn their backs on crime for good.’
The ministry said there were already some positive examples of community projects involving sports teams and young people.
At the Wetherby young offenders institution, Leeds Rhinos are providing training sessions and offering life coaching and mentors.
Saracens are offering coaching qualifications at the Feltham young offenders institution.
‘Sport can help to reduce violence’