Govt criticised for axing youth justice programme

The Government's decision to cancel a successful pilot programme for young offenders at Te Hurihanga in Hamilton ignores the long-term gains that could be made, Labour leader Phil Goff says.

Justice Minister Simon Power and Social Development Minister Paula Bennett yesterday said the pilot was being cancelled to be replaced by a more cost effective programme.

The community-based treatment programme for male offenders aged between 14 and 17 started in April 2007 and the pilot period was due to end by April.

The ministers said 23 young offenders started it but only eight completed the nine to 18-month programme.

The cost to date has been just over $5 million.

"Averaged out, that's an estimated $630,000 for each successful youth," they said.

"It's been a high cost, low volume programme and the ministry is unable to continue to absorb the high ongoing costs without cuts or reductions to other priority programmes."

The ministers said the programme would be replaced by a similar but more cost-effective one that would allow more young people to participate.

Mr Goff said the programme was a last chance intervention programme for troubled youths.

"Where is the sense in scrapping Te Hurihanga when the first graduates only came out in December 2008 and judges and police have described it as a 'godsend'? The programme was preventing young offenders becoming hardened criminals."

Mr Goff said the programme was an example of tackling the drivers of crime which the Government said was a priority and it took time to be effective.

"It's about spending time with these youths and changing nearly every aspect of their lives to ensure they are law-abiding Kiwis... Now National is promising young offenders its military style Fresh Start programme. That concept has been tried and failed and only produced fitter and faster criminals.

"I visited Te Hurihanga last week. It's a great example of a youth justice facility that is beginning to make a difference and making communities safer."

- NZPA