More action on juvenile crime

The OECD Report listing New Zealand as the developed country with the highest rate of juvenile criminals is ringing alarm bells for former Courts and Corrections Minister, Progressive MP Matt Robson.

“This means that we have a new generation of young people ready to graduate and fill our prison system.”

"The OECD report shows that there is some urgency for further and faster implemention of the ABOUT TIME Report which was endorsed by the Cabinet in 2001. ABOUT TIME provides a blueprint for proven early intervention strategies to dramatically cut the flood of young people into the prison system.

"ABOUT TIME shows that to prevent crime we must focus on supporting at risk families (with the Family Start program), preventing unwanted teenage pregnancies and implementing effective programs for teenagers headed for a life of crime. Furthermore, such strategies assist with youth suicide prevention and drug abuse.’

“One of the most effect ways we can reduce teenage crime is to boost both the Family Start program and Day Reporting Centres, two well researched and effective programs from the ABOUT TIME report. So far only two Day Reporting Centres for young teenage offenders haves been funded.

"The Progressives will be pushing for further implementation of the key steps from the About Time report in coming budget. We need to get our skates on to prevent teenage crime.”

The ABOUT TIME report is available on www.robsononline.co.nz/library/abt_time.pdf

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