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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS BY DEPUTY S.S.P.A. POWER OF ST. BRELADE
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 13th JULY 2009
Question
In light of the recent court case involving six local girls under the age of fifteen who viciously attacked two visiting French girls, hospitalising them, could the Minister advise whether he intends pursuing changes to the current situation whereby under the Criminal Justice (Young Offenders) (Jersey) Law 1994, the Courts only have the power to remand a young person under fifteen and have no power to impose a custodial sentence on someone under fifteen; and would he provide up to date statistics for the period 2004 to 2008 from the States of Jersey Police, Parish Hall enquiries and the Youth Court to illustrate :
- whether there is anincrease in young offenders coming to the attention of the Police, Parishesor Courts?
- whether thoseunder the age of15 are carrying outmoreoffences?
- whether the number of referrals totheYouthCourthas increased?
Answer
I intend to propose an amendment to the Criminal Justice (Young Offenders) (Jersey) Law 1994, to enable the Courts to impose a custodial sentence on young people over the age of 12. However, this would, of course, be in only the most serious of cases, where all other avenues to address the young person's offending behaviour had been explored, and proved unsuccessful. The form of the sentence is still to be worked out, but will be especially designed to meet the needs of 12-14 year olds.