‘Policing’, Power and Perceptions

Abstract

The following chapter will explore a number of important questions surrounding the management of residential home based challenging behaviour, an issue which has been consistently highlighted as being a significant contributory factor in the criminalisation of young people in children’s homes (Nacro, 2012, 2005, 2003; Morgan, 2006; Taylor, 2006; Fitzpatrick, 2009; Darker, Ward and Caulfield, 2008), with a particularly low threshold reported for police involvement. As illustrated by Robbie’s account (see above) this was confirmed by many of the young people in this study and highlighted by a number of the youth justice professionals as being an issue of particular concern to them. The chapter will then proceed to explore how the young people are viewed by the youth court when prosecuted for children’s home based incidents, including how care status might potentially impact upon their experiences and subsequent outcomes.

They always called the police. Even if it’s small, pointless, in your bedroom, they always called the police. In Coalton, they were always getting you arrested. It’s like they don’t want you to be there. (Robbie, 17)

There was an argument over the phone. The care-worker had hold of the phone, saying, ‘You can’t use it.’ The lad had hold of the wire, tugging on the wire and the wire snapped, and they phoned the police, and he gets charged with criminal damage. (Solicitor)

She kicks off because she doesn’t want to get up at nine in the morning … throws a cushion at member of staff, and then pushes member of staff, no injuries sustained, and she’s into court for assault. (YOT Worker)

Each home has got their own rules and regulations about ‘policing’ they call it …‘You’ll be policed.’ I’ve heard that a lot. (Police Officer)