Getting on track: reducing youth offending and re-offending through sport and physical activity

Recent statistics indicate a rising number of individuals in prisons and young offer institutions in England and Wales, with projections showing further increase. This trend has significant implications, as each prisoner costs around £47,000 annually.

Research has found that a majority of adult prolific offenders had their initial involvement with the criminal justice system as juveniles. It is now acknowledged that many young offenders face multiple disadvantages, leading to the adoption of trauma-informed and child-first approaches.

Sport and physical activity are increasingly recognised as effective tools in preventing and addressing crime and anti-social behaviour among young people. To support organisations working with vulnerable children, the UK Government has invested £5 million into a Youth Justice Sport Fund. This policy brief aims to inform public policy and spending decisions by demonstrating the potential impact of sport-based interventions in addressing risk factors associated with criminal behaviour. It also provides recommendations and case studies to support the use of sport and physical activity in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.