The Ministry of Justice has launched a consultation on targeted and proportionate reform of child criminal records in England and Wales, the Youth Justice Board said.
In an announcement published Nov. 13, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales said research on childhood records and reoffending indicates that continued disclosure may restrict access to education, employment and other opportunities. The board also warned that defining young people by past offenses can stigmatize them and increase the risk of further offending.
Stephanie Roberts-Bibby, chief executive of the Youth Justice Board, said children are still developing and some who come into contact with the justice system later turn their lives around. The board said it has long advocated for reform to give them a fairer chance to build a positive future.
The Youth Justice Board also recognized that criminal record checks play an important role in protecting the public. It said the proposal would retain safeguards for victims and communities and sustain confidence in the justice system.
