The Ministry of Social Development today released research on custodial remands of young offenders in police cells or in a Child, Youth and Family Residences.

Ministry Deputy Chief Executive, Child Youth and Family Ray Smith said good progress has been achieved in the youth justice sector since the research was undertaken and since the establishment last year of the cross government Steering Group for Young People in Cells.

“Youth Justice is a complex, unique area that requires a specialist focus.  It’s not enough to hold young people accountable.  Offending doesn't happen in a vacuum - it has a context that includes home, peer groups and value systems. The focus on collaboration with the community and other agencies recognises that just as young people live and offend in communities - the solutions to offending exist in those same communities.

“We have already seen a reduction in the average length of remands in Police custody.  For the month of September 2006 the average length of stay in police cells for a young person was 2.5 days.  This compares with 4.4 days in 2005. 

 “Child, Youth and Family has also established 25 new Youth Justice Manager roles dedicated to working within communities with police and courts. 

“We’ve also strengthened the Supported Bail programme available in the seven main centres that provides intensive support and supervision for up to six weeks so young people can avoid being remanded in custody.

“While increased infrastructure is only part of the solution, we are increasing the number of youth justice beds over the next two and a half years from 108 to 150 beds.  The first eight of which come on stream next month in Christchurch.

“I expect even greater progress to be achieved in the coming months as we harness the expertise of the Steering Group members to make a real difference in reducing youth offending,” said Ray Smith.

Download the research report (220KB PDF).