Criminology and Cultural Studies undergraduate student, Rachel Stewart, has been awarded the second prize in the John Howard Essay Prize. Eric Allison, the essay prize judge, said of Rachel’s essay:
Another fine essay, one which brings young offenders to life, shows them as what they mainly are; children who have strayed from the straight and narrow and unfortunate enough to stem from backgrounds which do not provide the buffers which cushion kids, from higher up the social scale, from the damage caused by veering off path.
The author paints a vivid picture of some of the warning signs; exclusion from school – despite being desperately in need of education; in conflict with their community, et al. Signs which should indicate a need for care, rather than punishment. She also makes the important point that many young offenders were victims themselves before they created their own. All the more shameful then for the state to throw them to the ‘private sector wolves, mindful only of profit’.