Crime alert : a youth crime prevention programme through personal and social development

Abstract

This dissertation attempts to provide a programme of youth crime prevention within secondary schools, particularly as a Personal and Social Development module. The dissertation first outlines various theories and then assesses the different factors that influence the probability of youth crime. The results show that there are three main factors that may lead to youth crime: environmental factors (including family and education); personal traits, and peer influence. Local data also shows an increase in the amount of offenders and offences over the years, with predominant offences conducted by an age cohort of 14 to 16 years. This study also gives an analytical account of prevention programmes, both local and foreign, which research has shown to work with adolescents. These programmes are analysed according to their target population, aims, procedures and results. Finally, this study interprets the results of the previous chapters and draws out a programme for youth crime prevention in Malta through Personal and Social Development during the Secondary school years. Lack of qualitative data from ex-prison inmates, P.S.D teachers, counsellors, probation officers and others has been noted as a limitation.