9. CHESTER BORROWS (National—Whanganui) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
What reports has she received on the effectiveness of current supervision orders for young offenders?
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
A report released yesterday by the Ministry of Social Development shows that the current sentencing orders available lack effectiveness in dealing with our worst young offenders. This report is the first of its kind, despite the fact that judges have been asking for an evaluation for more than 10 years. The report shows that 80 percent of young people reoffended after sentencing, and over half of those who reoffended committed two or more offences. That is exactly what we said when we were in Opposition: the youth justice system is working for the bulk of our young people, but for the 1,000 worst offenders things have to be done differently.
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
The report makes it clear that longer sentences and greater supervision are needed if we are to make a lasting impact on the behaviour of our worst youth offenders. Under our Fresh Start legislation we are doubling the Youth Court orders, increasing supervision periods, increasing mentoring, increasing drug and alcohol rehabilitation, plus introducing parenting education programmes to ensure that these young people have every chance to change their lives.
Jacinda ArdernDoes she agree with the report’s finding that 84 percent of reoffenders went on to commit offences as early adults, although proportionally fewer young people who had been in a youth justice residence did so; if so, why has her Government closed Te Hurihanga, a residential programme that led to an 82 percent reduction in reoffending?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
We will be taking the learnings and the best from the Te Hurihanga programme and delivering a Fresh Start programme that will reach more young people. I think that that is important. There will be more mentoring, and there will be more rehabilitation. As Mr Goff would say—although I never thought I would quote him—it’s “the many, not the few.”