February 23, 2017
Driving lessons for young offenders
Corrections is piloting a programme in south Auckland to help 450 young offenders gain a full driver licence.
Corrections Minister Louise Upston says the aim is to improve road safety and reduce offending, as gaining a licence can help young people turn their lives around, get jobs and move away from crime.
The two-year $600,000 pilot is aimed at Maori offenders aged 17-24 in the community and in prison.
It will be delivered at Auckland Prison, Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility, and at six Community Corrections sites in South Auckland.
South Auckland has the highest number of driver-related infringements for youth in the country, and young people who appear in court on a traffic offence have very high reoffending rates.
Tuition will include literacy and numeracy support if required, alcohol and other drug education and safer driving messages.
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