3. Question No. 3—ChildrenCAMERON LUXTON (ACT) to the Minister for ChildrenQuestion No. 3—Children3. CAMERON LUXTON (ACT) to the Minister for Children: What recent announcements has she made about addressing youth crime?Hon KAREN CHHOUR (Minister for Children): Last Saturday alongside Acting Prime Minister David Seymour I launched the military-style academy pilot at Te Au Rere youth justice residence in Palmerston North. Ten young males will begin a pilot next Monday 29 July. This is just one of a number of initiatives that this Government is undertaking to address the issue of serious youth crime and offending in New Zealand. The academy will involve a three-month residential stage in a youth justice residence following by a nine-month stage focused on supporting the young people to transition back into the community.Cameron Luxton: What will the young people do while on the programme?Hon KAREN CHHOUR: This programme is about giving these young people some structure and routine in their lives while also addressing their criminal behaviours. There will be physical activities as well as education and vocational training to prepare them for employment and perhaps most importantly each young person will receive rehabilitation and therapeutic care as required based on an in-depth assessment of their needs conducted before starting the programme.Cameron Luxton: How does the military-style academy pilot differ from previous programmes to address youth crime?Hon KAREN CHHOUR: We have looked at the evidence from previous military-style programmes both in New Zealand and internationally to understand what will give these young people taking part the best chance for success to turn their lives around and prevent them from reoffending. For example lessons have been learnt from the Military-style Activity Camp Programme and the academy will have much more focus on assessing the young people before starting the programme to ensure that their individual needs are addressed. There will be a focus on an improved transition back into the community which will involve family being prioritised where possible from the very beginning. The research shows that when family are involved and supportive the chances of success are much greater.Cameron Luxton: Will the military-style academy replace other youth justice interventions?Hon KAREN CHHOUR: No. The military-style academy won't replace other work going on within the youth justice sector. When fully established the academy will be for a small cohort of young people who have two proven offences punishable by 10 years or more of imprisonment. This means it will be for young people where previous attempts at intervention such as youth aid diversion family group conference plans fast-track and supervision orders have not worked and these young people have continued to reoffend and create more victims. While these lower-level interventions I mention may work for most young people this is about adding another tool to the tool kit to reduce crime and victims in our communities so that New Zealanders can feel safe on the streets.Hon Willow-Jean Prime: What does she say to Cara Mackey who survived abuse in care who says The policies that are being implemented at the moment such as the reintroduction of bootcamps are recreating the context in which abuse in State care was allowed to flourish."?Hon KAREN CHHOUR: I would say to the young lady that I am sorry for what she has been through. I would also say to the young lady that we have taken learnings from what has happened in the past and we have put processes in place to make sure that those horrendous acts that have happened in the past will not continue. What we cannot continue to do is do nothing. These young people deserve better and their families deserve better."