http://digbig.com/4fxth
"Sophia Parker, deputy director of social research institute Demos, is not convinced that Asbos are the answer.
'They aren't consistently applied either geographically or in terms of the nature of the offence, and they clearly aren't the complete answer. The aim was to stop children and young people entering the criminal justice system, but arguably the reverse has happened,' she says. 'One of the big problems with Asbos is they are supposed to be accompanied by support, but it looks like very few kids are getting that support and you end up with kids being given an Asbo and feeling a sense of stigma, or it becoming this badge of honour.'
She claims more preventative measures are needed if a long-term solution is to be found.
'They (Asbos) are fast-tracking children into the criminal justice system, which is not what was intended.'"
