home > what we do > raising standards > best practice > North Yorkshire records

Work with young offenders

The North Yorkshire County Record Office worked with the HM Young Offenders Institution, in Northallerton, to educate young offenders about the lives of offenders in the past, with the goal of minimising their chances of re-offending.

Fifteen young people took part in Changes in Society and got to research the histories of young offenders from the region. The Record Office guided the research as the institute’s internet access was restricted.

The original 1890s police charge book, with its photographs of young offenders, was taken from the archive to the Young Offenders Institution to inspire staff to take part.

The young offenders’ research was used to create a presentation which they gave themselves to an invited audience. An exhibition was also developed which is touring the region throughout 2009 and continues to inspire those who see it.

Trial re-enactment

One particularly compelling story was that of Sophia Constable, an 11-year old girl from Whitby, who was put on trial for stealing. The young offenders researched her case, and their evidence led to a re-enactment of her trial, in Middlesbrough, which was held as part of 2009’s International Youth Justice Year.

The Magistrates’ Court in Northallerton are now planning a similar event on Saturday 24th October, 2009 – following Sophia’s trial with a modern day trial re-enactment of a young offender, to highlight the contrasts in handling and sentencing over the ages.

In addition to the improved research and practical skills developed through putting together their own exhibition, the young offenders reported an increase in their confidence.

One named Karl said, “What I learnt out of this project was the confidence to learn to speak to other people.”

Another participant, Shane, said, “I feel excited. I feel relieved that I achieved this. I feel good in myself.”

Formal qualifications

Spending time talking through the project with the Young Offenders Institution paid off for the Record Office. They were also able to produce a DVD which provides compelling evidence of the positive outcomes for the young offenders.

Keith Sweetmore of the Record Office said: “Securing £10,000 for the MLA and BIG Lottery fund for Their Past Your Future was also instrumental in the success of Changes in Society and allowed us to step beyond our day to day activities to implement the project.”

What began as an interesting history project is now linked to an accreditation scheme within the institution itself and City College Manchester, which enables offenders to gain a formal qualification through their participation. Education packs for use in other prisons have also been developed.

For more information on this case study, visit the case study section on the MLA research website.