Russia's bold new plan to curb rising juvenile crime rates

Researchers at Perm National Research Polytechnic University have created a new programme to tackle juvenile crime. The initiative comes as President Vladimir Putin highlights a worrying rise in serious offences among young people. Over 40% of youth crimes now fall into the category of grave or severe violations. The prevention programme targets the root causes of juvenile delinquency. These include psychological issues, negative peer pressure, poor family support, and excessive unsupervised time online or on the streets. It also addresses a lack of structured activities for adolescents.

The scheme runs for three to six months and begins with an assessment by a school psychologist or social worker. It includes diagnostic tools, one-on-one work with teenagers, and counselling for parents. Ready-made lesson plans and materials are provided for educators, parents, and specialists. Key sessions cover emotional control, legal awareness, conflict resolution, and substance abuse prevention. The programme has been adopted by the Commission on Minors' Affairs and is currently in use by school social workers in Lysva. It is available to all professionals working in juvenile crime prevention.

The programme offers a structured approach to reducing youth offences. It combines assessments, parental involvement, and targeted lessons for adolescents. However, there is no public data on how widely it has been adopted across Russia.