A major criminal case that exposed the exploitation of dozens of Jersey children by drug dealers has been cited by the Children’s Minister as an example of where previous efforts to divert young islanders away from crime have fallen short – as the Government today unveiled its long-awaited Youth Justice Roadmap.
Constable Richard Vibert spoke to Express shortly after the document was published this morning.
We’ve seen recently how children can very easily be drawn into that type of life
children’s minister richard vibert
The roadmap – which was previously referenced by Ministers as part of efforts to support children in the youth justice system – outlines how the Government plans to enforce youth justice and rehabilitate child offenders, as well as keeping them out of the criminal system where possible.
“It’s an extremely important strategy,” said Constable Vibert.
“We don’t want children criminalised and going into a life of crime.
“We don’t want to see them groomed into activities, such as drug dealing, that we’ve seen recently and other criminal activities.
“We’ve seen recently how children can very easily be drawn into that type of life.”
It recently emerged that nearly 50 local children – some as young as 12 – had been recruited or manipulated into a criminal network that smuggled nearly £2m-worth of drugs to Jersey.
Among the objectives of the Youth Justice Roadmap is a drive to reduce children’s potential involvement in crime and keep them away from the criminal justice system with targeted interventions before more formal involvement, such as a Parish Hall Enquiry.
This includes an emphasis on addressing factors that could contribute to ongoing criminal behaviours, such as poor housing, a lack of access or engagement with education and experience of abuse or neglect.
“One of the key parts of the strategy is to divert children away from the criminal justice system and criminal activity at the earliest point,” the Minister continued.
“So as a partnership, we want to engage children in law abiding and positive behaviours.”
The Youth Justice Roadmap is underpinned by a “children first” principle, to be implemented through a partnership approach between the States and honorary police, probation and youth service, as well as several other key stakeholders including the Justice and Home Affairs Department.
The Children’s Minister explained: “The difference, I think, between this roadmap and perhaps other attempts, is that there is a lot more of a partnership between Justice and Home Affairs and the Children’s Services.”
Other objectives will include helping children to understand and take responsibility for their actions – including through peer mentoring programs – as well as identifying support for consistent offenders to turn their lives around.
You can read the full Child-First Roadmap for Jersey online.