Account for the increasing number of children incarcerated in the UK Essay

Account for the increasing number of children incarcerated in the UK. Is this an effective means to tackle youth offending - Essay Example uss different aspects of youth incarceration, especially in the context of Youth Justice System of the United Kingdom, and will endeavor to analyze available options of tackling youth offenders. It is a fact that every government has been giving significant importance to youth crime, in order to eliminate anti-social agents from the society from its roots; however, none has been able to achieve such objective due to a number of factors, such as unemployment, poverty, etc. On contrary, youth prison population has increased dramatically that has resulted in extreme criticism, as effects of youth imprisonment do not affect young offenders only, but families and communities as well. According to the UK government, (Home Office, 2008) tough penalties for young offenders cannot be avoided, as it is essential for a safe and healthy society; however, studies have observed that these tough and punitive penalties and custodies have resulted in contrary results, rather than allowing offenders to recover and break their offending cycle. Although steps are being taken to prevent young individuals from falling into this black hole; however, youth imprisonment presently seems to be the on ly option that is taken as effective, regardless its adversities. Policymakers believe that innocent public stays protected by custody and imprisonment sentences to young offenders; however, it is an agreeable fact that punishment confronted by young offenders in prisons results in isolation from society that is adverse for children according to a number of child psychologists. Studies have noted that children are unable to acquire proper guidance in custody and remand and end up with getting opinions from wrong people, such as serious criminals and offenders, which seems to be quite true with the fact that a majority of youth offenders are convicted after two years of going from the police custody. In the past, local services used to coordinate with magistrates, and after confirming presence