Housing and resettlement of young offenders : the case for a cross-government action plan for Malta

Abstract

The paper addresses social inclusion support as a main focus area of intervention for young offenders after being released from custody in Malta, a former protectorate and colony of Britain from which it has inherited its public administration and education system. According to European Commission statistics published in 2011, the island has the highest percentage of young offenders in the European Union. The objective of this research is to investigate whether it is financially feasible to embark on studies to prepare a Young Offenders Housing and Resettlement Protocol and a cross-government action plan for the resettlement of juveniles following their term in custody. This research is based on quantitative analysis of published and unpublished data relating to Young Offenders Unit Rehabilitation Services, Malta. The approach adopted is inspired by current practice and findings in Britain. Compiling a protocol and a cross-government action plan essential for effective public policy for housing young offenders following their term in custody is a financially viable option for Malta. The expenses incurred in providing custody for re-offenders balance out the costs involved in funding preparation of a Young Offenders Housing and Resettlement Protocol, the action plan and all supporting technical reports. In the payback period, a further reduction of the costs of preparing them can be attained by tapping into funding sources such as European Union co-financing programmes. The preparation of a Young Offenders Housing and Resettlement Protocol and a cross-government action plan for young offenders drafted with all parties involved, including the offenders themselves, is a way to invest in the nation's social capital with humanity. The short-, medium- and long-term impacts on such human capital investment are positive for both the young offenders and the community, the victim of crime. This paper proposes that the effort to draft instruments introducing an effective housing and resettlement policy constitutes a viable, cost-effective preventive measure against the relapsing of young offenders.