CYF Out Of Its Depth With Young Offenders
Thursday 20 May 2004
Dr Muriel Newman Press Releases - Social Welfare
Media reports of a single teenager taking up an entire CYF Youth Justice section, and new information on the shortage
of Youth Justice beds, highlights the need for the agency to be relieved of its Youth Justice duties, ACT New Zealand
Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman said today.
"Answers to my written Parliamentary Questions have revealed that, as of March 31, there were 87 young people in CYF
Youth Justice placements - at a time when, according to answers to another question - there were only 90 Youth Justice
beds throughout the country," Dr Newman said.
"Recent media reports have also outlined cases of teenagers being forced to stay in police cells because of this
shortage - yet, now, we learn that an Youth Justice section of a CYF facility is being taken up by a single teenager.
This is completely unacceptable.
"The CYF model is no longer viable. Outdated and obsolete, the department is no longer able to deal with the problems
created by a more complex society, increased family breakdown and welfare dependency. If it cannot even fulfil its core
role of protecting vulnerable children, how can it be expected to handle such a troubled, violent youth?
"Last week, Principal Youth Court Judge Andrew Becroft highlighted the shortage of Youth Justice beds, and called for
Youth Justice to be moved away from CYF. He was right. These young offenders need to be in the care of an agency that
has the resources and ability to help them. If Youth Justice remains in CYF hands, these young people are destined to
graduate from secure Youth Justice facilities to prison," Dr Newman said.
ENDS