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August 21 2018

Childhood Crimes From Over 30 Years Ago Show In DBS Checks

Nearly half a million childhood convictions from more than 30 years ago have been disclosed on criminal record checks in the past five years, research has found. A further half a million criminal records relating to convictions more than 30 years ago when the person was a young adult aged 18 to 25 were disclosed in the period, according to data uncovered by the charity Unlock.

Its report, A Life Sentence for Young People, reveals the findings of a survey of people with convictions and cautions, which shows 86% of respondents had a problem with employment later in life. About two-thirds also reported problems with stigma and discrimination. The report comes ahead of a key hearing in the supreme court next month, in which the Home Office will appeal against a high court ruling that the current regulations used by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) are unlawful and disproportionate. The original ruling was upheld in the court of appeal.