Understanding the Intersections between Care Experience and Ethnicity in Criminal Justice Involvement
Lead Research Organisation:
Lancaster University
Department Name: Lancaster University Law School
Abstract
Currently, the government does not know how many of its looked after children (for example, children who have lived in foster care or children's homes) become involved with the youth justice system, or how many of those children reside in youth custody (see Hunter, 2019; Laming, 2016). It does not know how many care experienced individuals fall into criminal justice involvement and imprisonment (see Fitzpatrick et al. 2019). There is no data which outlines the ethnicity of care experienced individuals who become justice involved. The new MoJ/DfE linked administrative datasets funded by ADR UK will make it possible to analyse the intersections between ethnicity, care experience, and criminal justice involvement for the first time.
This Fellowship will directly build upon my PhD research on the over-representation of looked after children and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) children in the youth justice system in England and Wales. The research utilised official statistics and 27 in-depth interviews with youth justice and children's services experts. Principally, the research indicated that existing inequalities in relation to ethnicity and looked after status have intensified and that BAME looked after children experience compounded disadvantage (Hunter, 2019). However, the thesis found that much is still unknown about the intersections between ethnicity and looked after status in youth justice involvement, largely as a result of insufficient official data.
The research evidence suggests that failings in the care system can both increase the risk of justice system contact and influence routes through the justice system (see Hunter, 2019). Evidence also points to frequency of incidents, as opposed to seriousness, having the greatest impact on criminal justice interventions for looked after children (see Shaw, 2014). The new linked datasets mean that it is now possible to explore when offending began and frequency of offending for care experienced individuals, as well as the role of ethnicity. Furthermore, information about care histories means that we can explore the effect of various experiences on criminal justice outcomes. Research suggests that age entering care and multiple placements may influence offending (e.g. Baskin & Sommers, 2011; Darker, Ward & Caulfield, 2008; Jonson-Reid & Barth, 2000). However, no study has considered how certain features of care experience might impact upon criminal justice outcomes for different ethnic groups.
The Laming Review estimated that 44 percent of all looked after children in custody come from an ethnic minority background (PRT, 2016: 65). The international research also suggests that there is a relationship between ethnicity and involvement in systems of care and justice, which warrants further investigation. Studies from the USA and Australia suggest that minority ethnic children in care have higher rates of youth justice involvement (see for example, Dollan et al. 2013; Goodkind et al., 2012; Ryan, Testa & Zhai, 2008; Stewart et al. 2008) and receive harsher outcomes than their white peers (Herz, Ryan & Bilchik, 2010).
The research aims to address gaps in knowledge with regards to the intersections between ethnicity and looked after status in offending and youth/adult criminal justice involvement. It will utilise new linked MoJ/DfE data to investigate the onset and frequency of offending of care experienced individuals and their ethnic group. It will explore the impact of various care system experiences (such as number of placements) on criminal justice outcomes, and whether this varies by ethnic group. In doing so, it will produce findings which will benefit professionals and policymakers and most importantly, BAME care experienced individuals.
This Fellowship will directly build upon my PhD research on the over-representation of looked after children and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) children in the youth justice system in England and Wales. The research utilised official statistics and 27 in-depth interviews with youth justice and children's services experts. Principally, the research indicated that existing inequalities in relation to ethnicity and looked after status have intensified and that BAME looked after children experience compounded disadvantage (Hunter, 2019). However, the thesis found that much is still unknown about the intersections between ethnicity and looked after status in youth justice involvement, largely as a result of insufficient official data.
The research evidence suggests that failings in the care system can both increase the risk of justice system contact and influence routes through the justice system (see Hunter, 2019). Evidence also points to frequency of incidents, as opposed to seriousness, having the greatest impact on criminal justice interventions for looked after children (see Shaw, 2014). The new linked datasets mean that it is now possible to explore when offending began and frequency of offending for care experienced individuals, as well as the role of ethnicity. Furthermore, information about care histories means that we can explore the effect of various experiences on criminal justice outcomes. Research suggests that age entering care and multiple placements may influence offending (e.g. Baskin & Sommers, 2011; Darker, Ward & Caulfield, 2008; Jonson-Reid & Barth, 2000). However, no study has considered how certain features of care experience might impact upon criminal justice outcomes for different ethnic groups.
The Laming Review estimated that 44 percent of all looked after children in custody come from an ethnic minority background (PRT, 2016: 65). The international research also suggests that there is a relationship between ethnicity and involvement in systems of care and justice, which warrants further investigation. Studies from the USA and Australia suggest that minority ethnic children in care have higher rates of youth justice involvement (see for example, Dollan et al. 2013; Goodkind et al., 2012; Ryan, Testa & Zhai, 2008; Stewart et al. 2008) and receive harsher outcomes than their white peers (Herz, Ryan & Bilchik, 2010).
The research aims to address gaps in knowledge with regards to the intersections between ethnicity and looked after status in offending and youth/adult criminal justice involvement. It will utilise new linked MoJ/DfE data to investigate the onset and frequency of offending of care experienced individuals and their ethnic group. It will explore the impact of various care system experiences (such as number of placements) on criminal justice outcomes, and whether this varies by ethnic group. In doing so, it will produce findings which will benefit professionals and policymakers and most importantly, BAME care experienced individuals.
Publications
| Description | So far, the main achievements of my Fellowship are my personal skill development, my contributions to developing useful data, and the production of new knowledge. During my Fellowship, I have capitalised on numerous opportunities for training which have enabled me to carry out administrative data research. I have re-trained in the SPSS software package, become competent is using SPSS syntax and learned how to restructure and link administrative datasets. During this time, I have transitioned from a predominantly qualitative researcher to a more well-rounded mixed-methods academic. I now have a deeper understanding of, and experience of working with, administrative data: including the challenges and possibilities for the new MoJ/DfE datasets I am utilising. In doing so, I have contributed to development of useful data through cleaning and processing the datasets provided for my Fellowship. This has included creating bespoke linked datasets which can meet the needs of my project. After initially scoping out the datasets, I narrowed my focus to youth justice involvement only using a birth cohort approach looking at individuals born between 1996 and 1999. This did not change the research aims but rather focused my attention on cautions or convictions received between the ages of 10 and 17-years-old. The Fellowship project has been extended to the 30th June 2023 due to delays in data access, technical issues with the Secure Research Service and the temporary absence of one of my project mentors. Despite delays, I have completed analyses for my first two research aims and I am currently working on analyses for aims three and four. The findings produced so far have generated new and exciting knowledge about youth justice involvement (including prevalence, offence type, number of offences and youth justice disposals) and how it varies according to care experience and ethnicity. The findings will enhance knowledge, plugging an important policy evidence gap in relation to ethnicity, care experience and justice systems involvement. Due to Statistical Disclosure Control requirements, the content of these findings cannot be shared yet. |
| Exploitation Route | The implications for these findings are wide reaching and could lead to policy and practice change in both systems of care and justice. The research project is also laying the groundwork for a wider program of work on the topic, including further analysis of administrative data. ADR UK has awarded funds for a range of joint impact activities which will be 50% funded by my project partner, Barnardo's. These activities include an animation, storytelling performance, joint launch event and online follow up workshop. The planned impact activities will be aimed at policymakers and key stakeholders and will take place in late 2023. |
| Sectors | Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Description | Project Partnership |
| Organisation | Barnardo's |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | I have monthly project partner meetings with Rod Weston Bartholomew (Assistance Director, Barnardo's) in which I discuss emerging insights from my fellowship research. Rod is listed as a peer reviewer of cleared outputs and so is able to view my pre-publication materials. Since 2021, I have been Chair of the Board for Barnardo's qualitative project on Black care-experienced young people in the criminal justice system which meets bi-monthly. Since the inception of the project, I have used my academic expertise to shape the research aims, questions and fieldwork plan. As part of my role, I also attend monthly contract review meetings with Barnardo's and Listen Up who are commissioned to carry out the project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Barnardo's have made a contribution in-kind to the project through monthly meetings with Rod Weston-Bartholomew (Assistant Director) who is running the Care Journey's programme. Rod is also overseeing a qualitative project on Black care-experienced young people in the criminal justice system which is being carried out by Listen Up. The monthly meetings involve sharing insights from both projects to bridge the gap between administrative data and lived experience. Barnardo's are also supporting dissemination through a joint animation, storytelling performance, in-person launch event and follow-up online workshops to be held later in 2023. |
| Impact | This partnership has no outputs yet but there are plans for an animation, storytelling performance and two joint events later in 2023. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | 'Work in Progress' Seminar, Lancaster University, 21st March 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I presented about the processes of gaining my ADR UK Fellowship and plans for my research to colleagues in Lancaster University Law School. This led to discussions about data access and working with data owners, particularly with colleagues in Centre for Child and Family Justice Research who are also working on admin data. I was invited to give another 'work in progress' presentation later in my Fellowship. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | ADR Children and Young People Representation Panel meeting, 28th July 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I met with two members of the CYP representation panel to discuss plans for my research. Both worked in children's services and thought that my analysis plan was appropriate and wanted to hear about my findings when they are ready. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | ADR Children and Young People Representation Panel meeting, 6th September 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I met with David Maguire and discussed some early findings emerging from my work. We talked about how to best interpret findings when they are complete. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | ADR UK Public Engagement Meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | ADR UK arranged meeting which allowed me to showcase my research plans to the Children and Young People Representation Panel. The panel included individuals working in the third sector, academics and practitioners. At the meeting, the representation panel were complimentary about my use of language to describe the research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | ADR UK Research Fellows: Insights from criminal justice data - ONS Research Excellence Series, 25th January 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Presented some emerging findings from my Fellowship as part of the ONS Excellence Series. The online event was attended by over 150 people and there were some really engaging questions about my findings in the Q&A and via twitter afterwards. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.adruk.org/news-publications/events/adr-uk-research-fellows-insights-from-criminal-justic... |
| Description | ADR UK Roadshow, Lancaster University, 8th December 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I presented some emerging findings as part of the ADR UK roadshow hosted online by Lancaster University. I also spoke about the fellowship process. Excellent event that publicised the work of ADR UK. The audience was mostly made up of post-doctoral and PhD researchers. Many were interested in taking on similar linked data projects. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Data First 5th Academic Seminar, National Justice Museum, Nottingham, 9th March 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented and discussed my plans for the Fellowship as part of a Data First event in Nottingham. Networked with Data First individuals and colleagues working with linked data. Met up with a colleague from Cardiff doing similar work which led to regular communication and possible future research collaborations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Data First Scotland Event, 13th October 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented some emerging findings as part of Data First Scotland Event. Alongside well established academics working with admin data. The event was well attended and I made some stronger connections with colleagues working in Scotland. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Department for Education Administrative Data Symposium, 16th June 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Presented briefly about the processes of accessing the data and building in timescales at an in-person event for DfE. I also took part in information table for delegates to learn about the different datasets. This involved lots of opportunities to engage with data owners and ONS about issues with access. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Female Offender Minority Ethnic (FOME) Working Group Meeting, 26th January 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | My wider research portfolio (including Fellowship, previous Care Custody project and PhD) was communicated to a range of stakeholders at MoJ including those working on the frontline. This included issues of racialisation and the importance of having an intersectional lens. I was invited to speak again later in the year when I have some findings. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | SafePod Launch Event, 23rd September 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I gave a short presentation at an event for the launch of the ONS Safe Pod at Lancaster University. I talked about the possible uses of the pods and how having one in development at the university had helped me to gain ADR UK funding. Most audience members had never heard of the pods or ADR UK. I sent them away with information which will hopefully lead to more grant applications to ADR UK. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Youth Justice Board Disparity Protocol development |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Formed part of a group of academics/researchers working on the YJB's disparity protocol designed to reduce disproportionality in the system. Alongside a colleague, I wrote the section on ethnic minority care-experienced children. I also made wider contribution to the editing process. After Nicola Kefford left the YJB in December, it is not clear whether the protocol is still in development. It was very close to being finished but was very much a passion project led by Nicola. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |