There are a very wide range of sentences for young people available within the British legal system. For minor crimes and offences the courts may impose a range of punishments including a fine, an attendance order, a supervision order or custodial sentence. For serious crimes it may result in the young person going into a detention centre and later a prison.

Fine

The young person will be required to pay an amount to the court in punishment for their offence.

Supervision Order

May contain different conditions such as participation in certain activities, a curfew for example or that the young person lives in social services' accommodation for up to six months. The purpose of supervision orders is to provide opportunities for young offenders to be given structured help to prevent re-offending and to make amends to victims or to the community.

Referral Order

Can last between three and twelve months and are a form of community sentence. The idea is to address the causes of youth offending and to punish.

Custodial Sentence

Comprises a period of detention and training for half the order with a period of supervision after release.

Young offenders under the age of 18 who have been convicted of serious offences and crimes are sentenced to indefinite detention in social services' secure accommodation, transferring at age 18 to a young offender institution and at age 21 to prison.

For more information on the British legal system and young people have a look on the site below.

You can also speak confidentially to one of Connexions personal advisers by phoning our free phone number: 0800 435 709