Towards a Mixed Economy of Youth Justice

The concept of a ?mixed economy of justice? involves the idea that welfare is delivered by a range of agencies working in partnership. The United Kingdom 1998 Crime and Disorder Act introduced multi-agency approaches requiring criminal justice agencies to work together with local authorities and communities, following a ?mixed economy of justice? model. This presentation introduces the author?s new study on how mixed economies work within youth justice in the United Kingdom. It points out that there are historical precedents to these partnerships and provides an overview of recent developments in the field. The presentation then concludes that contemporary partnerships around youth justice present a much higher level of commodification and that voluntary action now works more on the principle of investment than altruism. A criminal justice ?industry? is now in place. Is it possible, however, to ?buy social justice?? And how far has the development of a multi-agency criminal justice ?industry? assisted the realisation of child rights in the United Kingdom? If it has not, how can it be made to do so and by whom? These essential questions aim to be addressed by the author?s new project.