December 18, 2012
Borrows pleased at rangatahi court
Associate Justice and Social Development Minister Chester Borrows say rangatahi courts are having a positive effect.
Mr Borrows and Māori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples released a report on the programme this morning at Hoani Waititi Marae in West Auckland.
The former policeman turned lawyer says by holding youth court sessions on marae, offenders are less intimidated by uniformed police or gangs, and they engage better.
"Whā nau feel they are being listened to and being engaged with. Rangatahi appearing before the court feel they are being listened to and that they are required to treat others with respect but in turn they are being treated with a level of respect they are not feeling when they are appearing in the Youth Court," Mr Borrows says.
More quantitative research is needed to see if rangatahi courts are reducing reoffending.
Copyright © 2013, Uma Broadcasting Ltd