This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/17/britain-teenage-killings-hong-kong-city-streets
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Does the answer to Britain’s rise in teenage killings lie in Hong Kong? | Does the answer to Britain’s rise in teenage killings lie in Hong Kong? |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| It has been reported that 2017 was the worst year for knife deaths among young people since 2002. But such is the frequency of stabbings and shootings of predominantly young males in our inner cities, these incidents often fail to make the national news, as one murder is superseded by another in quick succession, at times due to “tit-for-tat” revenge killings. | It has been reported that 2017 was the worst year for knife deaths among young people since 2002. But such is the frequency of stabbings and shootings of predominantly young males in our inner cities, these incidents often fail to make the national news, as one murder is superseded by another in quick succession, at times due to “tit-for-tat” revenge killings. |
| Among the factors are the lack of investment in prisons and lack of activities for prisoners, which together lead to violence, gang warfare and little rehabilitation. Many of the prisoners I have worked with feel that by the time they are “through the gate”, they are already too far gone. Their lives have often been characterised by chaos, poor treatment in the care system, substandard schooling, father absenteeism, poverty and unemployment. So the problem is clear to see, but the question remains: what are the solutions? | Among the factors are the lack of investment in prisons and lack of activities for prisoners, which together lead to violence, gang warfare and little rehabilitation. Many of the prisoners I have worked with feel that by the time they are “through the gate”, they are already too far gone. Their lives have often been characterised by chaos, poor treatment in the care system, substandard schooling, father absenteeism, poverty and unemployment. So the problem is clear to see, but the question remains: what are the solutions? |
| Two years ago, I spent time in Hong Kong’s youth clubs, observing how former Triad gang members and other “at-risk” young people were being helped | Two years ago, I spent time in Hong Kong’s youth clubs, observing how former Triad gang members and other “at-risk” young people were being helped |
| In 2004, Zana Briski filmed and directed an Oscar-winning documentary Born into Brothels. It followed the lives of children who lived in slums and whose mothers were sex workers in Kolkata, India. Much of the documentary centred on teaching these children photography, even though some of them had never even seen or held a camera. In essence, Briski was “rehabilitating” these children before they had the chance to become involved in the criminal justice system. | In 2004, Zana Briski filmed and directed an Oscar-winning documentary Born into Brothels. It followed the lives of children who lived in slums and whose mothers were sex workers in Kolkata, India. Much of the documentary centred on teaching these children photography, even though some of them had never even seen or held a camera. In essence, Briski was “rehabilitating” these children before they had the chance to become involved in the criminal justice system. |
| One of the most harrowing scenes is a young boy who sees his mother burned to death by her pimp, in the sewer water-infested slum where he lives, and where men drink and take drugs in his home from first thing in the morning. Despite horrific hardships, the boy was enthralled by the camera. Throughout the documentary, we witnessed his pre-emptive “rehabilitation”. Now the boy is studying film and directing in New York, on a scholarship. Creative, unorthodox methods of rehabilitation can work; we just need to take the chance. | One of the most harrowing scenes is a young boy who sees his mother burned to death by her pimp, in the sewer water-infested slum where he lives, and where men drink and take drugs in his home from first thing in the morning. Despite horrific hardships, the boy was enthralled by the camera. Throughout the documentary, we witnessed his pre-emptive “rehabilitation”. Now the boy is studying film and directing in New York, on a scholarship. Creative, unorthodox methods of rehabilitation can work; we just need to take the chance. |
| Two years ago, I spent time in Hong Kong’s youth clubs, observing how former Triad gang members and other “at-risk” young people were being steered towards lives that would positively benefit society – and themselves. Such are the lack of youth clubs in the UK, I had almost forgotten their fundamental role: to provide a space where young people can get off the streets, learn some life skills, socialise, and engage in purposeful activities. | Two years ago, I spent time in Hong Kong’s youth clubs, observing how former Triad gang members and other “at-risk” young people were being steered towards lives that would positively benefit society – and themselves. Such are the lack of youth clubs in the UK, I had almost forgotten their fundamental role: to provide a space where young people can get off the streets, learn some life skills, socialise, and engage in purposeful activities. |
| In England, that role should theoretically be played by our pupil referral units, young offender institutions and secure care homes. But they have not been able to do this for many years – as shown by the high rates of physical harm among young people in secure custodial settings. These situations could be avoided, with youth clubs helping to “rehabilitate before the fact”. | In England, that role should theoretically be played by our pupil referral units, young offender institutions and secure care homes. But they have not been able to do this for many years – as shown by the high rates of physical harm among young people in secure custodial settings. These situations could be avoided, with youth clubs helping to “rehabilitate before the fact”. |
| In Hong Kong, not only are youth clubs filling that gap, they are also open throughout the night. I remember walking bleary-eyed, at 2am, with others of my group: through cyber cafes, youth clubs and basketball courts. You could have been forgiven for thinking it was 2pm, rather than the middle of the night. These were well-funded, modern institutions. | In Hong Kong, not only are youth clubs filling that gap, they are also open throughout the night. I remember walking bleary-eyed, at 2am, with others of my group: through cyber cafes, youth clubs and basketball courts. You could have been forgiven for thinking it was 2pm, rather than the middle of the night. These were well-funded, modern institutions. |
| Through a translator, I talked to a 17-year-old former drug user who spent most of his nights playing basketball rather than injecting illegal drugs. Another 17-year-old I met was an ex-Triad member who spent his time in these youth clubs rather than fighting on the streets. Many of us who were part of the research group from the UK remarked how this just would not be possible back home. All-night youth clubs? Who would even allow that, let alone fund it? But then again, rehabilitation can take a multitude of innovative forms. So many prisoners have said to me how it was the nights when “the streets got them”. | Through a translator, I talked to a 17-year-old former drug user who spent most of his nights playing basketball rather than injecting illegal drugs. Another 17-year-old I met was an ex-Triad member who spent his time in these youth clubs rather than fighting on the streets. Many of us who were part of the research group from the UK remarked how this just would not be possible back home. All-night youth clubs? Who would even allow that, let alone fund it? But then again, rehabilitation can take a multitude of innovative forms. So many prisoners have said to me how it was the nights when “the streets got them”. |
| So would a bit of lateral thinking, combined with adequate funding, allow “at-risk” young people to be rescued from the streets which seem to be in danger of consuming them? | So would a bit of lateral thinking, combined with adequate funding, allow “at-risk” young people to be rescued from the streets which seem to be in danger of consuming them? |
| • Dev Maitra is a criminologist and ethnographer, currently studying for a PhD at Cambridge University | • Dev Maitra is a criminologist and ethnographer, currently studying for a PhD at Cambridge University |
| Knife crime | Knife crime |
| Opinion | Opinion |
| Crime | Crime |
| Young people | Young people |
| Hong Kong | Hong Kong |
| comment | comment |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on Google+ | Share on Google+ |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |
Previous version
1
Next version