Youth heartened by emerging consensus on crime and punishment, but need political action

Over 100 members of JustSpeak came away greatly encouraged by the willingness of politicians from across the political spectrum to engage with youth on fresh ways of thinking about crime and punishment at JustSpeak’s monthly forum on the evening of Wednesday 9 May. The political forum brought together Minister Chester Borrows (National), Charles Chauvel (Labour), Metiria Turei (Greens), Hone Harawira (Mana) and Asenati Lole-Taylor (NZ First) to debate the topic of The Political Response to Criminal Justice in Aotearoa: Do politicians have the courage to abandon the law and order auction?

The audience was heartened by the efforts of politicians to reach across the divide and find common ground on addressing New Zealand’s pressing criminal justice issues. Chester Borrows called the present situation a “perfect storm” for change, and indicated a common “will not to get back into the auction” of punitive populism when creating justice policy. Charles Chauvel likewise described an “historic opportunity” to make a change in the direction of New Zealand’s justice system. Metiria Turei spoke of changing the focus from a “legal system” to a “justice system” – a sentiment echoed by Hone Harawira, who suggested that for many New Zealanders, especially Māori, the current feeling it that “the law has nothing to do with justice”. Hone challenged the audience to consider restructuring our concepts of crime and justice to provide for greater equity in society’s treatment of all its members. A common theme from all speakers was the need to shift focus away from vindictive penal sanctions towards treatments that addresses the underlying causes and drivers of crime, and take account, as Chester Borrows suggested, of the fact that offenders may be victims too.

JustSpeak applauds the receptiveness of the politicians to engage with young people on these issues. As Hone Harawira said, JustSpeak believes that young people “are bold enough to try” to change attitudes and generate change. The young people present on Wednesday evening came away focussed on rising to the challenge laid down by Chester Borrows to ensure that “your idealism lasts beyond the ink drying on your degree”. Feedback collected from audience members following the event reflected that sense of optimism. “Amazing to have such an open discussion about justice with our leaders”, one wrote. “What an amazing evening”, said another, “I really enjoyed the diverse panel”. “Stepping away from the auction isn’t the answer, but it’s the beginning”, another commented. “There is hope yet?”.

But the audience also emphasised the vital need to translate ideas into political action. Audience members came away hopeful that politicians can “walk the talk” and “translate ideas into detail and implementation”. The purpose of the evening, one member identified, was to “challenge us to find real solutions – to take action beyond the talkfest”. JustSpeak was therefore pleased to hear some concrete goals identified by speakers: Charles Chauvel gave a commitment to reintroduce the Sentencing Council, cancel the contract to build a new prison at Wiri, and use that money to fund other projects to address wider drivers of crime. Metiria Turei spoke of the important need to address housing and providing a stable economic foundation for all New Zealanders to deter crime, while Hone Harawira emphasised the need to engage Māori in the justice system and to explore alternative, marae-based approaches outside the Anglo-Saxon justice system. Chester Borrows suggested that a change as simple as reconfiguring our courtrooms to include defendants more fully in proceedings could be effective – we need, he said, to “look forward to new ways of people going to court”. All speakers spoke in favour of emerging therapeutic and restorative approaches to justice, including the pilot drug courts, Rangatahi courts and homeless persons’ courts.

JustSpeak is committed to identifying and promoting ways that real change can be brought to criminal justice policy and practice in New Zealand, through engagement with politicians, government departments, the judiciary, community groups, offenders and victims, and the wider public. As one guest emphasised, “community needs to be part of the process”. JustSpeak hopes that the ideas shared by both politicians and audience members at the political forum, and the spirit of working collaboratively towards a better approach to crime and justice in Aotearoa, will be retained long after the event ended.

As part of that ongoing commitment to fostering open debate and ideas for change, JustSpeak will continue its monthly forums with the next forum on The Media and Criminal Justice in June.

For more information, please contact Kate Stone, JustSpeak co-ordinator, at justspeaknz@gmail.com or on 021 408 228.

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Background information:

JustSpeak was formed in May 2011 to help build youth involvement in Rethinking Crime and Punishment. The group aims to draw on the innovation, imagination, and impatience of young people to contribute to the debate on criminal justice in New Zealand. JustSpeak has made a number of submissions, including on the inquiry by the Māori Affairs Select Committee into the wellbeing of Māori children and the Vulnerable Children Green Paper; organised consultations so that young people can air their views, notably on the Victims Code with the Victims Centre, and with the Law Commission on alternative trial processes; and held a series of monthly forums.

The monthly forums aim to bring together young people from different backgrounds to educate and upskill members on issues of criminal justice. Monthly forums can attract an attendance of up to 100 young people (comprising young lawyers, social workers, advocates, and public servants), and topics have previously included Māori and the Criminal Justice System, Vulnerable Children, Drugs and the Criminal Justice System, and Boot Camps.

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