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Children's Commissioner calls for 17-year-old offenders to face youth court

Author
Hannah Bartlett,
Publish Date
Mon, 10 Oct 2016, 5:09AM
Judge Andrew Becroft, Children's Commissioner (NZH).
Judge Andrew Becroft, Children's Commissioner (NZH).

Children's Commissioner calls for 17-year-old offenders to face youth court

Author
Hannah Bartlett,
Publish Date
Mon, 10 Oct 2016, 5:09AM

The Children's Commissioner says the United Nations has highlighted an obvious stain on New Zealand's otherwise good youth justice record.

Judge Andrew Becroft said in the UN's report on children's rights is a recommendation to the government to include 17 year olds in the youth justice system.

He said the rest of the world does it, and it's time New Zealand complied with UN guidelines.

Judge Becroft said it would be an easy fix given the decision's currently before Cabinet.

"I think there's a feeling that it's a soft, ineffective Kumbaya-singing system that doesn't hold young people to account. Nothing could be further from the truth. The system is about accountability and, at the serious end, prison is an option."

Judge Becroft said 17 year olds who commit minor to moderate offending have a better chance of turning their lives around through the youth justice system.

"17 year olds serving prison now having appeared in the district court would still get prison. The real advantage would be in the minor to moderate offending to get them out of the criminal justice system. We would be investing in them and we would be turning around a life of crime."

 

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