6. HEKIA PARATA (National) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
What is the Government doing for young offenders?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Acting Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
The Fresh Start legislation is now in place, with the first 10 youth offenders beginning military activity camp last week. This Government is serious about dealing with this country’s worst young offenders by giving judges access to tougher sentences and working intensively to address the causes of offending. This is their last chance to avoid a life behind bars. If we can save a few of these young offenders, it is better than saving none at all, because it means we are saving victims.
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
Child, Youth and Family, along with the New Zealand Police, have recently implemented the police Youth Offending Risk Screening Tool. This means that police information will be electronically attached to Child, Youth and Family records. It is great to see that after just 2 years in Government we are getting police and Child, Youth and Family to share more information.
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
Today I am announcing that this Government is funding 14 new community programmes to tackle youth offending through the $4.5 million Fresh Start Innovation Fund. We are backing communities to address youth justice issues locally by finding new, effective ways of dealing with their young offenders.