[Greens-Media] Sending young people to court a waste of money

[David Shoebridge]

Sending young people to court a waste of money
Media Release - 31 May 2011
 
The Greens NSW have criticised plans by the government to send juveniles engaging in street art and graffiti to appear before the courts. According to NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge these plans will put more people into the justice system and likely be a waste of public resources. 
 
"Less than a month after the Attorney General called for less young people in the justice system, Mr Smith has announced a measure which is going to force many more young people before the courts.
 
"By pushing these young people into the courts, the government will be exposing many young people into the criminal justice system.
 
"While jurisdictions overseas such as the UK and the US are directing juveniles away from courts, as a result reducing crime rates and taxpayer expenses, this government is going backwards. 
 
"Mr Smith says that cleaning graffiti and street art is costing over $100 million each year, but he hasn't revealed how much it is going to cost to send all of these young people into the justice system.
 
"Under the government's plan, the public will foot the bill for magistrates, police, court reporters prosecutors and the like because one young person wrote their name on a train carriage.
 
"These direct costs together with the social impact of sending children to courts mean that the Attorney-General could well spend many times more than he is going to save.
 
"All across the world governments are realising that punitive measures for juvenile indiscretions have a negative effect on the young people involved, and in general end up costing the public much more than investing in effective social programs. 
 
"It is about time this new Attorney stood up against the hard right law and order elements driving this O'Farrell government," Mr Shoebridge said.
 
More information: 9230 3030 | 0433 753 376
 
 
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David Shoebridge
Greens MLC
NSW Parliament
PH: (02) 9230 3030
FX: (02) 9230 2159
www.davidshoebridge.org.au