Our Queensland State Government passed sweeping law reforms to incarcerated young people in adult prisons, force boot camps and 'name and shame' repeat young offenders.
Shame.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/newman-announces-boot-camps-for-young-offenders-20130324-2gnp6.html
As we only have one house of government there is no balance of powers- there-in lies the first problem.
Where is the evidence that boot camps work? They do not. Kids might behave for the 4 to 6 weeks they are forced to be involved but the evidence is that they return to the same environment and the same behaviours the moment they leave.
Who is running the boot camps? What are their credentials, their motives, their safety guidelines and who is supervising them? Will this be the next of a series of institutionalised abuses claims? Where is the information about these camps? Why are children treated more harshly than adults for lesser behaviour problems?
Of course dealing with the underlying issues and causes of recidivist youth crime is too hard it seems. Realistic education support; stop drugs and alcohol; employment for youth and their families; community services; support mothers to raise their children; community youth groups; family interventions all cost too much money it seems. So money will now be poured into programs after the horse has bolted, that may make the problems worse and lead kids into a life of crime as a career opportunity.
Despite valid information about the programs, legislation has proceeded as if this does not matter. Appealing to voters (and kids don;t vote so are disenfranchised) by strong arm tactics and short term solutions seems to be the order of the day. Shame!
Even more worrying is that the next news flash will move away from this crime against children and we will all forget that the abuse will continue, in our name. The news will briefly flash that one of these kids is raped, killed, maimed in custody, and then their plight will again be ignored.
Amnesty International is on the campaign trail to fight this legislation. Maybe you will feel moved to join their action http://www.amnesty.org.au/action/action/33834/
Shame.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/newman-announces-boot-camps-for-young-offenders-20130324-2gnp6.html
As we only have one house of government there is no balance of powers- there-in lies the first problem.
Where is the evidence that boot camps work? They do not. Kids might behave for the 4 to 6 weeks they are forced to be involved but the evidence is that they return to the same environment and the same behaviours the moment they leave.
Who is running the boot camps? What are their credentials, their motives, their safety guidelines and who is supervising them? Will this be the next of a series of institutionalised abuses claims? Where is the information about these camps? Why are children treated more harshly than adults for lesser behaviour problems?
Of course dealing with the underlying issues and causes of recidivist youth crime is too hard it seems. Realistic education support; stop drugs and alcohol; employment for youth and their families; community services; support mothers to raise their children; community youth groups; family interventions all cost too much money it seems. So money will now be poured into programs after the horse has bolted, that may make the problems worse and lead kids into a life of crime as a career opportunity.
Despite valid information about the programs, legislation has proceeded as if this does not matter. Appealing to voters (and kids don;t vote so are disenfranchised) by strong arm tactics and short term solutions seems to be the order of the day. Shame!
Even more worrying is that the next news flash will move away from this crime against children and we will all forget that the abuse will continue, in our name. The news will briefly flash that one of these kids is raped, killed, maimed in custody, and then their plight will again be ignored.
Amnesty International is on the campaign trail to fight this legislation. Maybe you will feel moved to join their action http://www.amnesty.org.au/action/action/33834/
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