A youth justice advocate is adamant sending young offenders into military camps will reduce re-offending by most kids.

This comes in response to National's plans to send the country's worst youth offenders into boot camp.

Lawyer and youth justice advocate John Sandston told Mike Hosking the programme has a lot of merit - but won't be suitable for every single youth.

"They've got significant mental health problems - they just simply wouldn't cope with something like that. Some kids it would because they've had very little positive role-modelling or discipline."

Sandston said other military style camps have had proven success in reducing re-offending.

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