Family Decision-Making in Youth Justice: The New Zealand Model (From National Conference on Juvenile Justice, P 113-126, 1993, Lynn Atkinson and Sally-Anne Gerull, eds. -- See NCJ-148673)

• NCJ Number: 148683
• Author(s): G M Maxwell
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: From proceedings of the National Conference on Juvenile Justice, held in Adelaide, Australia, September 22-24, 1992.

Annotation

New Zealand's model of juvenile justice emphasizes accountability for offenses; diversion, deinstitutionalization, and destigmatization; victim involvement, mediation, reparation, and reconciliation; family participation; and cultural appropriateness.

Abstract

There is much that is positive and novel about the New Zealand system of youth justice. It has succeeded in diverting the majority of young offenders from criminal courts, and reliance on the use of institutions has been dramatically reduced. Families participate in the processes of decisionmaking and are taking responsibility for their young people in most instances. Extended families are also becoming involved in the continuing care of their kin and as an alternative to foster care and institutions. Greater acknowledgment is being given to the customs of various cultural groups and the adoption in some instances of alternative methods of resolution through the use of traditional processes. Still, there are possible difficulties with the new system; professionals may dominate and thereby distort and destroy the family group conference process; families may be denied necessary information on both the process and the possibilities; the lack of resources and support services can undermine family decisions. 6 references