Juvenile justice systems in Europe – current situation, reform developments and good practices

Abstract

Youth justice systems in Europe in the last 15 years have experiencedconsiderable changes, particularly in the former socialist countries oftransition. But also in Western Europe different and sometimes contradictory youth justice policies can be identified: neo-liberal tendencies, particularly in England and Wales, but also in the Netherlands (see Cavadino and Dignan 2002: 284 ff.; 2006: 215 ff.). In other countries - like Germany for example – a moderate system of “minimum intervention” (priority of diversion and of educational measures) has been kept (see Dünkel 2005). In many countries elements of restorative justicehave been implemented (mediation, family group conferencing, see e. g.Belgium).