The Pains and Gains of COVID-19 – Challenges to Child First Justice in the Pandemic. (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hampson, Kathy; Case, Stephen; Little, Ross
• Is Part Of: Youth justice. Volume 23:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 76
• Page End: 96
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: Child First Youth Justice -- children's rights -- COVID-19 -- engagement -- England and Wales -- solitary confinement -- youth criminalisation -- youth justice -- Youth Justice Board -- Youth Offending Teams; Juvenile justice, Administration of -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Youth -- Legal status, laws, etc -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Juvenile corrections -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 364.360941
• DOI: 10.1177/14732254221075209
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-2254

Abstract

The global COVID-19 pandemic has particularly affected justice-involved children. Youth justice policy changes and innovations have assisted communication and engagement with these vulnerable children during unprecedented times, while attempting to limit risks of contagion and criminalisation – all central tenets of the 'Child First' guiding principle for the Youth Justice System of England and Wales. While some changes have enhanced the experiences of some justice-involved children (gains), others have disproportionately disadvantaged justice-involved children in court, community and custody contexts (pains), increasing criminalisation, disengagement and anxiety. These pains of COVID-19 have effectively eroded the rights of this already-vulnerable group of children.