Key Takeaways:
- The Green Party is calling on the government to abandon boot camps for youth offenders after a recent intake of the controversial programme was planned for early next year.
- The government’s Minister for Children, Karen Chhour, denied decisions had been made, but officials later confirmed another camp with a new design was planned for March 2026.
- The Responding to Serious Youth Offending Amendment Bill, which would give judges the sentencing option of a military-style academy (MSA) for repeat serious offenders, has not yet been passed.
- Critics argue that the government is putting the cart before the horse by recruiting staff for the next iteration of the MSA before legislation is in place.
- The Green Party wants to see the plan ditched in favour of more funding for programmes that work with young people in their communities.
Introduction to the Controversy
The Green Party is urging the government to abandon its plans for another boot camp for youth offenders, citing concerns over the lack of evidence supporting the programme’s effectiveness and the potential harm it could cause to vulnerable young people. The call comes after it was revealed that another intake of the controversial programme is planned for early next year, despite the Minister for Children, Karen Chhour, denying that any decisions had been made. The government’s plans for the boot camp have been met with criticism from various groups, including Save the Children, the Law Society, and the Children’s Commissioner, who argue that the programme is a failed experiment that should be ditched in favour of more community-based initiatives.
The Government’s Plans
During the recent Scrutiny Week committees, Minister Chhour and Oranga Tamariki officials were questioned about their plans for the boot camp programme. While Chhour denied that any decisions had been made, officials later confirmed that another camp with a new design was planned for March 2026. The Responding to Serious Youth Offending Amendment Bill, which would give judges the sentencing option of a military-style academy (MSA) for repeat serious offenders, has not yet been passed, but job vacancies for the next iteration of the MSA have already been advertised. This has led critics to accuse the government of putting the cart before the horse and pushing ahead with a programme that has not been proven to be effective.
Criticism of the Programme
The Green Party’s MP, Kahurangi Carter, has been vocal in her criticism of the programme, arguing that it is a failed experiment that has been shown to have little impact on reducing recidivism rates. She points to the fact that seven of the 10 young men involved in the pilot programme re-offended, and that the programme was plagued by problems such as rushed implementation, challenging transitions, and a lack of continuity around therapeutic support. Carter also argues that the government is ignoring the wishes of survivors of abuse in care and the recommendations of the Abuse in Care Royal Commission, which emphasized the need for a more holistic approach to supporting vulnerable young people.
A History of Failure
The boot camp programme has a history of failure, with earlier evaluations highlighting problems such as insufficient screening of staff and participants, lack of clarity around roles, and inadequate information, training, and resources. The earlier camps were also found to have required better engagement with whānau and a need to involve iwi services. Despite these criticisms, the government appears to be pushing ahead with the programme, with Oranga Tamariki officials claiming that they have integrated lessons from the earlier programmes. However, critics argue that the government is simply recycling old failures and ignoring the evidence that the programme is not effective.
Alternatives to Boot Camps
The Green Party is calling for the government to ditch the boot camp programme in favour of more funding for community-based initiatives that work with young people in their communities. Carter argues that this approach has been shown to be more effective in reducing recidivism rates and supporting vulnerable young people. She points to the need for a more holistic approach that addresses the underlying causes of offending, such as poverty, lack of education and job opportunities, and inadequate housing. By investing in these community-based initiatives, the government can provide young people with the support and opportunities they need to turn their lives around and become positive contributors to society.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the government’s boot camp programme for youth offenders highlights the need for a more evidence-based approach to addressing the complex issues surrounding youth offending. Rather than pushing ahead with a programme that has been shown to be ineffective, the government should be investing in community-based initiatives that have been proven to work. By doing so, the government can provide young people with the support and opportunities they need to succeed and reduce the likelihood of re-offending. The Green Party’s call to abandon the boot camp programme is a step in the right direction, and it is hoped that the government will take heed of the criticisms and concerns raised by experts and advocates in the field.
