CBBC
CBBC Newsround
Overview
Lock and key Over 1,000 children aged 16 and under are locked up in the UK.
Newsround Extra went into a secure unit to find out more about life for children who are behind bars.
Students look at one boy's experience and examine a poem written by another teenager in custody.
Learning aims
By the end of the lesson, students should understand:
Evaluate comments on locking up teenagers
KIDS BEHIND BARS: YOUR THOUGHTS
A cell For comments and activities, select this link To add your comment, select this link
Distribute this worksheet of comments, submitted by young people logging onto the Newsround website.
Students put a tick next to the comments they agree with, a cross next to the ones they disagree with and a question mark next to the ones they are not sure about.
They summarise the arguments and THEIR thoughts by completing these sentences
Students can also add their comments online by clicking on the link in the blue box.
Warm-up
Children behind bars 12 min video
Watch this film.
To play Newsround Extra, select this link
"Jake's" story
PRESS PACK: MY LIFE BEHIND BARS
For Press Pack and questions, select this link
Alternatively, read out this Press Pack from "Jake" who has been in and out of secure accommodation since he was 11. Here he tells Newsround what it's like, and why he doesn't want to go back once he's out.
"Jake's" story and the following questions are available on a printable worksheet.
Ask students:
1.How old was "Jake" when he stopped going to school? 10 or 11.
2. Describe his friends. The wrong people.
3. How did "Jake" break the law? Robbery.
4. How did crime make "Jake" feel at first? It gave him a buzz.
5. How did crime make him feel afterwards? Sorry.
6. When "Jake" was 11, how long did he spend in a secure unit? Less than eight months. He got an early release for good behaviour.
7. What was his main concern when he was younger? Having a laugh.
8. What does "Jake" want to do with his life now? Get a job, go to college, have his own flat.
9. "Jake" gives some examples of having his freedom taken away. What are they? Having to ask to go to the toilet or change the channel on the telly.
Main activity
A new approach to young offenders
This activity comes from the Howard League citizenship and crime programme. They publish a range of resources for teachers and organise conferences for pupils. (Click on the link in the right hand green box for more information.)
Read the class the following poem.
If I were platinum
If I were platinum, then would I be treated precious and rare?
Instead of just a burden to bear, would I have someone that cares?
Maybe my life would have more worth and merit.
If my soul were converted into carats.
The police would never attack me. Instead they would guard me.
People would want me, instead of give me up and discard me.
But it seems the world would care less as we perish.
While platinum would be adored and cherished.
How is it that a mere stone glistening and gleaming.
Holds more value and admiration than us human beings.
It's sad that the highest value can be placed on an object so small.
While life is treated as if it holds no value at all.
Written by a teenager in Huntercombe Young Offender institution (from the Howard League Magazine)
WORKSHEET:IF I WERE PLATINUM
Jumble of coins, beads and gold bar (Picture: EyeWire) For poem and activities, select this link
The poem and the following activities are available on a printable worksheet.
Ask students: What are the dangers to society when young people feel they are of no value? Prompts - their behaviour and treatment of others.
Students plan a new approach to young offenders. The use of custody should be only part of their answer. They explain their ideas as a poem or rap lyrics.
Their new system of punishment and rehabilitation should do the following:
Extension activity
Age of criminal responsibility
Ask the class:
1. At what age do young people know right from wrong? Prompt: 5? 7?
2. How old do you have to be before you are responsible for your actions?
3. Is a teenager less responsible for a crime than an adult?
4. Does the criminal's age make any difference to the victim?
Explain that the UK's age of criminal responsibility is 10 years old. This is one of the youngest in Europe. How do students feel about this?
Students write a personal statement that explains their own opinion on the correct age of criminal responsibility.
Plenary
Young people in the news
Recently youth crime has dominated the headlines.
Ask students:
For more information on the Howard Leagues resources and programmes for schools, contact Catryn Yousefi, Project Co-ordinator on 020 7249 7373.
Arguments against holding children in prison
The Howard League believes:
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