Support for young offenders

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 37, 6 March 1984, Page 3

Support for young offenders

Two community court support groups have been set up to try to stop the cycle of young people reoffending in the Waimarino. As an understanding of court procedure is a basic necessity for those involved in such a group, the venture is to be launched next week with a simulated court case, at the Ohakune District Courthouse. Anyone who is interested to see how the judicial system works, and how court procedures are followed is invited to come along to watch the enactment of a typical court hearing at 7.30pm, next Tuesday evening. Represented in this hypothetical case will be a 'judge', a probation officer, the police and prosecution and defence witnesses, the legal profession and social welfare. The exercise is being ^trganised by Mr Dennis Praxie, the Community Education Officer for the Taihape-Ruapehu branch of the Rural Education Activities Programme (REAP) for the twin purposes of educating those who have been approached to be committee members and to make the Waimarino community aware of the role of these two new support groups. The impetus for the establishment of a court

support group, originated from a meeting at the Waimarino Welfare Committee held in August last year. This meeting directed the two Honorary Social Workers in the area, Judy Doyle of Ohakune and Keith Haitana of Raetihi to approach specific members of the community to recruit them onto a committee for each one. The interest in forming such groups in the Waimarino is evident from the support shown when the second meeting was called last month and Constable Glendinning the Youth Aid Officer for the district, outlined the procedures to be followed. Twenty-eight people from Ohakune and Raetihi turned up and a further 20 apologies were received. Constable Glendinning outlined the role of the group in regard to the young offender and their family. For those under 1 4 years the group will become an alternative court replacing the present Children-'s Board system. For first offenders, under 17 years, the family will be able to majce the choice of whether they wish to go before their Local Community Court Group, or the official Children's and Young Persons Court. For the under 1 7 year old

who re-offends, and also for the older offenders the committee will act as a court support group. Members will undertake to support a particular offender, and their family if necessary and work with them until the situation is resolved. Each case will be discussed with the group in a supportive manner and submissions made to the judge when the case is heard. Advice on legal procedures will be given to the offender, and the group may undertake to supervise restitution or the rehabilitation of the offender back into the community. Anyone who feels an interest in this work, can be considered for recruitment by the two groups so far established. If they are compassionate, non-judge-mental, have a desire to help, and be supportive, not only through the court procedures but also to follow through afterwards until the problem has been resolved, then they could be ideal members for the Community Court Support Group in their town. Each of the two groups will be autonomous and develop their own procedures. These will be decided upon by members over the next few weeks. The Ohakune Community Support Group has 15 members with a further five still considering. The chairman of this group is Judy Doyle and the group will be incorporating Mahia Whangai — a Department of Maori Affairs programme aimed at the rehabilitation of Young Maori Offenders. The Raetihi Group will be meeting this week to appoint their chairman.