FOCUS ON:
Crime and Justice

Crime is the consequence of a wide range of factors and is very costly to society, both directly and indirectly.  The LifeWhys framework proactively addresses building the factors that cause crime through a positive developmental approach that leads to thriving outcomes for all.  It also reduces the risk factors and promotes the protective factors that reduce crime.  Key elements of the framework include social competencies such as resistance of negative peer pressure and peaceful conflict resolution.  The framework also addresses external factors ranging from the ‘built’ infrastructure through to wider social and community support factors such as positive role models and mentors.

The framework has been used very effectively in many countries for a number of years.  Just two examples of its effectiveness include a one community which has seen a 40% reduction in youth crime and a UK offender rehabilitation programme which achieves a <4% reoffending rate compared to the national average of 60%.

The LifeWhys framework’s life thriving factors is also a key part of many effective restorative justice and early intervention and prevention programmes.  Basically, the more life thriving factors a person experiences, the less likely they are to offend and the more likely they are to thrive and become positive members of society.

However, the sobering facts are that most crime is perpetrated by the under 30s with 92,300 10-17s cautioned or convicted for indictable offences in 2009.  Of these, nearly 44% was theft, 15% violence against the person and 15% drugs related.  The peak for criminal activity is 17 years old, of which 75% are boys.

Although the crime trend has been reducing, it is still one of the worst in Europe.  It is therefore vital that we pro-actively tackle the underlying causes of criminal behaviour – all the more so with crime levels set to worsen with big cuts in Police force budgets.

Click on the graphs for a larger version.