Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TCBI (Tracking children in their best interests: electronic monitoring in three European juvenile justice systems)
Reporting period: 2018-07-01 to 2020-06-30
The overall aim of the research was to investigate the implementation EM and the way it serves the best interests of children in the youth justice systems in three European jurisdictions. The specific objectives were to: i) examine and compare the legal and policy framework for the use of EM; ii) examine and compare the implementation of EM in practice; iii) assess the extent to which EM complies with the international requirements relating to alternatives to deprivation of liberty; and iv) investigate the views of the stakeholders and children about the use of EM in the youth justice system.
This project provides a comprehensive picture of the law and policy, which regulates the use of EM with children and how EM operates in practice in the three jurisdictions. The research found that two EM technologies are used in the three jurisdictions: radio-frequency (RF) and GPS technologies. Both technologies were available in England and Wales and the Netherlands, while the Hungarian system relies solely on GPS. The three EM systems represent three distinct institutional models: the control model (Hungary), the due process model (England and Wales) and the rehabilitation model (Netherlands). These models reflect the legal and regulatory context in which EM operates as well as the dominant approach of professionals to assessment, support and supervision of children on EM. EM law, policy and practice are embedded within, and interconnected with, the youth justice system. A youth justice system which reflects a children’s rights approach as found in the Netherlands also has a child-orientated approach to EM. By contrast, a lack of awareness of children’s special status limits the measures put in place to ensure the child-friendly use of EM in Hungary, which operates in the same way as it does for adults. However, notable differences existed both between and within jurisdictions in the extent to which they aim to limit the use of EM with children, guarantee their participatory rights and assess their needs when considering their best interests. The findings provide important clues to how EM may be used to reduce measures, which deprive children of their liberty pre- and post-conviction in ways which respect children’s rights.
The research informs national and international policy makers about the best approach to respecting, protecting and promoting children’s rights when utilising EM technologies in youth justice. The findings suggest that integrating EM into existing youth justice systems is the first step towards creating child-friendly EM systems. The legal and policy framework should consider the impact of monitoring on the daily lives of children, including the way it affects their behaviour while on EM. Support will only be effective if: i) it is provided by practitioners trained to address children’s needs; ii) focuses on strategies to bring about desistance; and iii) monitoring systems (policies, equipment and regimes) reflect the social and individual needs of children depending on their age and personal circumstances. Building on these basic principles, a comprehensive approach should be developed and promoted within and across the different jurisdictions.
The project website provides a useful resource for policy-makers, practitioners, children and the general public. It includes explanations of how EM is used with children for different audiences and a comparative report as well as one for each jurisdiction. Dissemination to policy-makers and practitioners continues. The project also signalled the need for further research, primarily on the legal interpretation and the goals of and approaches to supervision of EM.