There are some good early intervention wrap around programmes focused on young offenders that are working. But they are expensive and require agencies to work together. The Royal Commission on historic abuse shows what happens when children are punished and neglected.
"Mr Luxon does seem quite enamoured with the American way of things" ..."Locking more people up, writing them off, punishing them vindictively doesn’t work. Look at America. They’ve got sky high incarceration rates and a chunk of the population armed and ready to shoot each other."
Some good thoughts there - not sure increasing the duopolies' hold on profitable items like alcohol is without a downside but the basic idea of reducing the number of easy targets is a good one.
I try to remind people that the Dunedin study established that few people who offend under the age of 18 go on to offend as adults.
A friend was at a residents association meeting recently when the discussion turned (and stayed on) the sort of crime you are discussing. There was a surprising consensus that youth crime is simply reaping what we sowed with the anti-smacking act. That's despite youth crime actually being higher at the time than it is now. Luxon can appeal to this mindset just by making generic statements about being "tough" and people who hold these views will fill in the gaps.
YES. "helping them is the best course of action". In the world these kids live in, their actions make sense. other wise they wouldnt be doing it. i hate that they (and many other marginalised people) get judged for living in a different world rather than trying to understand where they come from. lets honour their stories of surviving at the margins rather than just judge their behaviour. as for answers we need to look wider. our social services industry is structured in ways that get in the way of being able to offer what is needed (although whanau ora has potential). lets think bigger and start putting oportunities into the world that these kids live in. e.g. imagine a music recording and film making studio in every poor suburb, imagine jobs that can lead to decent careers helping out their neighbourhoods and communities, imagine many other opportunites that kids in well off suburbs/families get and deliver those into the poor neighbourhoods. Then social services will have more of a chance at makiing a difference. In the absence of opportunites that these kids can connect with, we are up against adults (often family members) running criminal teams of kids, and the lure of being able to get whatever they want whenever they want it by stealing. the illusion that they can live a flash lifestyle. why would you not if you lived in their world. this from someone who worked in social services for 15 years then left because i thought i was better off teaching people to grow their own. food that is. wonderful writing thank you Nick.
"How about we get the ciggies out of the dairy and close down the bottle stores? Only sell cigarettes and alcohol from supermarkets or large retailers? "
Very good explanation of the facts Nick. Locking them up and boot camps are not the answer just as corporal punishment was not the answer in schools. Recidivism is the main outcome of throwing people in gaol and the funding spent per prisoner would pay far better if it were applied to wrap around services for those going off, or likely to go, off the rails. Luxon really is proving over and over how clueless he is.
There are some good early intervention wrap around programmes focused on young offenders that are working. But they are expensive and require agencies to work together. The Royal Commission on historic abuse shows what happens when children are punished and neglected.
"Mr Luxon does seem quite enamoured with the American way of things" ..."Locking more people up, writing them off, punishing them vindictively doesn’t work. Look at America. They’ve got sky high incarceration rates and a chunk of the population armed and ready to shoot each other."
Re National's tax cuts: I read that the amount is about the same as NZ's ENTIRE POLICE BUDGET.
I seem to have been blocked from NZNats Party FB site, for posting comments about the 12 year olds that run their PR campaign 😆
Some good thoughts there - not sure increasing the duopolies' hold on profitable items like alcohol is without a downside but the basic idea of reducing the number of easy targets is a good one.
I try to remind people that the Dunedin study established that few people who offend under the age of 18 go on to offend as adults.
A friend was at a residents association meeting recently when the discussion turned (and stayed on) the sort of crime you are discussing. There was a surprising consensus that youth crime is simply reaping what we sowed with the anti-smacking act. That's despite youth crime actually being higher at the time than it is now. Luxon can appeal to this mindset just by making generic statements about being "tough" and people who hold these views will fill in the gaps.
One of your best, Nick. Thank you!
YES. "helping them is the best course of action". In the world these kids live in, their actions make sense. other wise they wouldnt be doing it. i hate that they (and many other marginalised people) get judged for living in a different world rather than trying to understand where they come from. lets honour their stories of surviving at the margins rather than just judge their behaviour. as for answers we need to look wider. our social services industry is structured in ways that get in the way of being able to offer what is needed (although whanau ora has potential). lets think bigger and start putting oportunities into the world that these kids live in. e.g. imagine a music recording and film making studio in every poor suburb, imagine jobs that can lead to decent careers helping out their neighbourhoods and communities, imagine many other opportunites that kids in well off suburbs/families get and deliver those into the poor neighbourhoods. Then social services will have more of a chance at makiing a difference. In the absence of opportunites that these kids can connect with, we are up against adults (often family members) running criminal teams of kids, and the lure of being able to get whatever they want whenever they want it by stealing. the illusion that they can live a flash lifestyle. why would you not if you lived in their world. this from someone who worked in social services for 15 years then left because i thought i was better off teaching people to grow their own. food that is. wonderful writing thank you Nick.
Locking people up without meaningful and effective rehabilitation programmes is just a waste of money and time.
Like your piece!
Yes Nick. This;
"How about we get the ciggies out of the dairy and close down the bottle stores? Only sell cigarettes and alcohol from supermarkets or large retailers? "
Doesn't need the ❓ mark really
Very good explanation of the facts Nick. Locking them up and boot camps are not the answer just as corporal punishment was not the answer in schools. Recidivism is the main outcome of throwing people in gaol and the funding spent per prisoner would pay far better if it were applied to wrap around services for those going off, or likely to go, off the rails. Luxon really is proving over and over how clueless he is.
Brilliant, as always. thank you.