Gwent MIC recently organised a unique Youth Court. PUPIL (Pupils Understanding Problems in Their Locality), a Cynon Valley Crime Prevention Association (CVCPA) initiative, targets Years 8-10 students with behavioural and learning difficulties, and those lacking confidence. Funded by the Welsh European Funding Office, this scheme involves students in developing activities which raise confidence, skills and employability, instead of the traditional exam route.
When the 22 Pontllanfraith Comprehensive pupils involved in PUPIL decided to write and film a story based around ‘drug dealers’ at the school, the entire criminal justice system joined in. The local prison brought prisoners and a mock cell, while the police, who visited with drugs dogs, also sent police vans with sirens blaring and arrested the 'drug dealer', put him in the van and took him off to interview.
The final act was to bring the project’s students to witness Dan, the ‘defendant’ (a Pontllanfraith student) being tried in a mock Youth Court staffed by Gwent Youth Panel magistrates, Gwent Justices’ Clerk, CPS and defence solicitors, and YOTs. Early results from the scheme are promising, with the students developing social and work-related skills which are easily transferable into the workplace.
