The pilot boot camp programme had 10 young people aged 15 to 17. Photo: 123RF
One of the young men taking part in the government's boot camp pilot has been accused of reoffending, just five weeks after he re-entered the community.
The three-stage pilot - which involved "military style activities" and a special curriculum - launched in July, and was run by Oranga Tamariki. The first cohort had 10 young people aged 15 to 17.
The pilot concluded its three-month residential phase on 16 October. The nine-month community phase would finish in July next year.
Minister of Children Karen Chhour said in a statement while the news was disappointing, it would be naïve to think none of the pilot participants would lapse.
"I'm saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity at a second chance," Chhour said.
"We were hopeful this would not occur, but we understand the complexities in the lives of these young people. Ultimately, what they do with these opportunities is up to them."
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Chhour said she remained confident the "military-style academies" were having success, pointing out that several of the young men had left the residence with jobs lined up.
She said the pilot had been developed based on lessons from other military-style programmes in New Zealand and overseas.
"A key aspect of the programme, which makes it different from its predecessors, is the aim to ensure participants get the support they need after they have completed the residential component of the academy and returned to the community.
"Each one has a mentor who is working with them and there is intensive, tailored support for each young person."
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said one reoffence did not mean boot camps were a bad idea.
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Peters said he would not have supported the initiative if he did not think it would be successful, "and it will be".
"You've got all these people shouting it down before they even start and they have no alternative plans at all to turn that sort of juvenile crime around."
Peters said it was still early days and there should not be an expectation of reliable statistics so close to the formation of the policy.
Labour's deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni said the reoffending showed the government's boot camps were not the silver bullet it made them out to be.
Labour's deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Sepuloni said there was no evidence to support that boot camps work.
"These young people have very complex lives, boot camps are not necessarily the answer and here is a situation where it has not worked."
Sepuloni said the government should refrain from pushing ahead with the first reading on Thursday afternoon.
Green Party member Ricardo Menendez March said it was "embarrassing" the trial was failing so soon and it showed the minister refused to acknowledge the evidence that boot camps did not work.
Green Party member Ricardo Menendez March. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
"What it tells us is that boot camps were never going to work. They haven't worked in the past, and there is no evidence that they will work right now."
He said what was needed was a government committed to addressing issues around poverty and access to adequate housing, "so we set up our young people to the best possible life".
Menendez March added the Greens had long been concerned the government was moving to make boot camps permanent without evaluating the current trial.
In a statement, Oranga Tamariki said: "We have been acutely aware from the outset that offending while on the community phase of the pilot was a possibility. We have plans in place for this and will continue to work with this young person.
"As this matter is now before Youth Court, we are unable to comment further."
RNZ has approached police for comment.
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