Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Youth Justice Facility Strip Searches Needed For Dangerous Young Offenders

The fact that dangerous weapons are found during strip searches at youth justice facilities shows just how necessary they are; if these offenders don’t give them a reason to be searched, they wouldn’t have to be in the first place, says Darroch Ball co-leader of Sensible Sentencing Trust.

“Any calls for them to be stopped are as dangerous as they are out of touch.”

“These facilities are not designed to look after abused, traumatised, or neglected children - they are purely designed to hold dangerous and violent young offenders to keep them off our streets and protect the public.”

“They are finding drugs, broken glass, shives, and other weapons. These weapons aren’t being made by these offenders because they are bored. They are purely designed to cause serious injury, maim or kill," says Mr Ball.

“This faux outrage directed at Oranga Tamariki proves that the people making these comments are either unaware of why they are being conducted or they are deliberately choosing to ignore the fact that there are some very dangerous individuals being held at these facilities for very violent crimes.”

“These crimes include killing, attempting to kill, and grievous bodily harm. They aren’t there because they stole a Moro bar, and they aren’t there because they are ‘traumatised young kids’. They have zero regard for the safety or lives of others and it is proven when weapons are constantly being found.”

“These strip searches being conducted are a clearly necessary last resort that is purely for the safety of staff and others at the facility.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.