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12.7
The RSC also noted that the behaviour of delinquents could be caused by the interaction of a number of factors, including parental behaviour, education and social contact and not simply by living in public housing estates. The higher rate of prosecution in estates might also be the result of easier detection of crimes in these more accessible buildings.
12.8
In connection with the high involvement in crime by young public housing estate tenants, the RSC was concerned about basketball pitches and playgrounds in housing estates, as places where youngsters could easily become acquainted with criminals. It thought that the problem might possibly be tackled by
(a) better control of the pitches; and
(b)
the organisation of more formal use of courts and pitches.
The RSC has asked the Police to consider this particular problem and put forward any practical solutions as to how it might be resolved.
Future action
12.9
The RSC will take into consideration the Director of Housing's comments and continue to monitor the crime situation in public housing estates to see if there is a trend. Further study will also be conducted on the possible causes of the high offender rate of young persons.
STUDY OF MULTIPLE OFFENDERS
The
12.10 A study has been conducted of all first offenders in 1978 who have committed at least two subsequent offences and who have served at least one custodial sentence within a period of six years. intention is to try and identify trends and characteristics of these recidivists and to draw conclusions. This study involves the examination of the records of 295 offenders of this type, kept by the Police and the Correctional Services Department.
12.11 The Correctional Services Department has carried out two research studies on this subject
(a) an in-depth study of a small sample
(41) of multiple offenders; and
(b)
a preliminary study of a larger sample
(295) of multiple offenders.