Sometimes, less is more

Drawing upon current research in Northamptonshire, this article argues that the assumption, implicit in recent UK youth justice legislation, that formal criminal justice interventions with early-stage young offenders will have positive deterrent and rehabilitative effects does not appear to be borne out in practice. It contends that the use of informal diversionary strategies with, low-level, early-stage, young offenders may, in fact, have a more positive impact in terms of re-conviction rates, averting the escalation of ‘deviant careers’, reducing criminal victimisation and cost savings. The article concludes with a discussion of the political and administrative barriers to the implementation of such strategies in English youth justice.