The Growth and Permanency of Criminal Records with Particular Reference to Juveniles
| Author | Clifford Williams |
| Published date | 01 June 2011 |
| Date | 01 June 2011 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1350/pojo.2011.84.2.517 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
DR CLIFFORD WILLIAMS
Chief Inspector, Hampshire Constabulary
THE GROWTH AND PERMANENCY
OF CRIMINAL RECORDS WITH
PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO
JUVENILES*
There have been a number of significant developments in
recent years that have contributed to the growth and perman-
ency of criminal records in England and Wales. First, the
greater recording and retention of criminal records and their
connection to the processes of disclosure associated with the
suitability or otherwise of people to work with children and
other vulnerable people. Secondly, the expansion of the type of
offences which are recorded in criminal records, both recorded
in criminal statistics and in personal records. And thirdly, the
performance culture where police force performance is meas-
ured by a series of collated figures and targets, in particular
detection targets.
In addition to these developments, a ruling in the Supreme
Court of Justice Court of Appeal (Civil Division) (2009
EWCA Civ 1079) allows all personal criminal records to be
retained and potentially be disclosed for up to one hundred
years.
This article examines these developments with particular
reference to juveniles. The impact such records may have on
employment prospects and especially work with either young
people or vulnerable adults is examined.
In this article ‘juvenile’ refers to those aged 10 to 17 years
of age who if charged with a crime would normally appear at a
Youth Court.
Keywords: Criminal records, crime recording, disclosure,
juvenile offending
The growth of criminal records and the consequences of having
such a record have become a concern for many in recent years.
‘Labelling’, ‘criminalisation’ and similar words have been
increasingly heard at criminal justice events. Technological
advances, legal changes and the expansion of ‘risk’ adverse
policies have contributed to a degree of recording that is both
more comprehensive and more permanent than ever before.
The Police Journal, Volume 84 (2011) 171
DOI: 10.1358/pojo.2011.84.2.517
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