´Today’s Youth is worse Than Ever´

When thinking of responses by the criminal justice system in relation to young people and crime, it is hard not to make linkages to the medias misrepresentations and how it consequently creates a sense of moral panic. It is evident when looking at Australia’s current stand on detention and incarceration that there is a strong perception that containment is the most effective way to deal with young people and crime. However, recent research is stating the opposite; arguing that detention and the incarceration of young people that commit minor criminal offences actually increase recidivism rather than having positive outcomes – for both the juvenile offenders and community.

The role media plays in shaping the general publics views and opinions, particularly in relation to young people and youth crime, is obvious when analysing policy and various responses by the criminal justice system. It is interesting to read various media articles stating that young people today are ´out of control´ and that today’s youth is ´worse than ever´. Findings shows that between 1992 and 2008 there were a great number of punitive amendments added to different Acts in NSW, and since 2007 there has been an increase in young people in custody due to ´though on crime´ laws and policies being the main focus to combat youth crime (Brown, Farrier, Egger, McNamara & Steel, 2006).  

As we know, most people have very limited knowledge about, or direct contact with the criminal justice system but yet, most people have a very strong opinion that there is a need for tougher laws and policies to combat crime. The medias role here is vital as it is the main forum to distribute information to the general public. Hence, when exaggerating issues concerning youth crime - a sense of moral panic within community contribute to peoples perception that something needs to be done and as a result, there is a request for tougher laws and policies to deal with young people and crime. Very few people are informed by the media that there are diversionary options that have been found to adequately support young people rather than utilise detention where they are most likely to start a criminal carer. Diversionary alternatives such as community developed programs have shown to have beneficial outcomes for both offenders and community in terms of low re-offending rates and less youth re-entering the juvenile justice system (Wong, Bailey & Kenny, 2010).

If the media were to provide accurate information about young people who commit crime as well as politicians focusing on solving the issue rather than using young people as the ´folk devil´, the moral panic around juvenile justice would maybe have a chance to decrease and the focus may instead be on finding the best support for young people who engage in criminal activities.


 

References:

Brown, D 2006, Criminal Laws, 4^th edn, The Federation Press, Sydney

Wong, K et al 2010, ´Bail me out: NSW young people and bail´, Youth Justice Coalition, pp.1-48,  viewed on the 4^th of January 2011,  http://www.yjconline.net/BailMeOut.pdf