2. Are there Lessons to be Learnt from the Youth Justice System?
IPS Criminal Justice Forum – Wellington – 26 February 2009
Judge Andrew Becroft
Principal Youth Court Judge
Te Kaiwhakawa Matua o Te Kooti Taiohi

4. Strengths of the Youth Justice System
Diversion/”Alternative Action”
Rate per 10,000 population of 14 to 16 year-olds, of cases appearing in the Youth Court
IPS Criminal Justice Forum – 26 February 2009

5. Number of young people who reoffended % of young people who reoffended
Strengths of the Youth Justice System cont…
Rate of re-offending within 18 months of young people in sample, by Police response to their first offence
Police response
Total number of young people
Number of young people who reoffended
% of young people who reoffended
Warning/other
649 60
9.2
Diversion
464 74
15.9
Intention- to-charge FGC 94 35
37.2
Youth court
231
118
51.1
All responses
1438
287
20.0
IPS Criminal Justice Forum – 26 February 2009

6. Strengths of the Youth Justice System cont…
Specialist police force…..Youth Aid division
Family Group Conferences
Significant reduction in institutionalisation
IPS Criminal Justice Forum – 26 February 2009

7. Strengths of the Youth Justice System cont…
Reduced rates of imprisonment
Custodial Sentences for Youth Court Cases, 1987–2006
IPS Criminal Justice Forum – 26 February 2009

8. Specific Challenges for the Youth Justice System
Better statistical reporting and more research
Improved, better resourced, Family Group Conferences
Cross-sector training and capability
Failure to use community-based options adequately
Transition from Youth Justice system back into the family/community
Serious violent offenders
IPS Criminal Justice Forum – 26 February 2009

9. Wider Challenges for the Youth Justice System
Disproportionate Maori youth offending
Keeping young people engaged in education
A nationwide youth mental health service
Nationwide alcohol and drug treatment programmes/ facilities
Development of a nationwide mentoring scheme
The use of “evidence-based” interventions and programmes
Early (earlier) intervention
IPS Criminal Justice Forum – 26 February 2009

10. Conclusion
IPS Criminal Justice Forum – 26 February 2009