Correctional facilities fail to prevent young inmates from joining gangs – report

The Department of Corrections is failing to prevent young inmates from joining gangs, according to the report.

report, Youth and teenagers in custody in coloniesincludes 26 recommendations, all of which the Corrections accepted in principle.

He called for an anti-gang plan to take account of young people’s vulnerability and susceptibility to harmful influences in prison.

“Nearly half of under-25s have a registered gang affiliation, and this rises to 80 per cent for 18-year-olds,” Chief Correctional Officer Janice Adair said.

“Young people from the main high security units told us it was difficult to escape gang influence and intimidation. Many said that being involved with gangs helped them feel a sense of identity and belonging. Many of them came from gang families where violence, drugs and alcohol were major factors. the norm, but some wanted to change it.”

The inspection was carried out in all 18 New Zealand prisons between September 2023 and July 2024. More than 200 young people were interviewed, as well as staff, experts from New Zealand and overseas, lawyers and people who have changed their lives after being in the criminal justice system.

It found that youth units and safe places for younger prisoners had been cut over the past five years, resulting in younger prisoners coming into contact with older gang-linked prisoners in regular maximum security cells. regime, and also increased gang recruitment.

According to barrister Amanda Hill, the main prison units were the biggest recruiting centers for gangs in New Zealand.

“The mixing of young people and adults means that many young people are recruited into gangs to protect themselves from violence and intimidation.

“Keeping young people out of mainstream units is key to keeping them out of gangs.”

Trials of youth squads took place on Rimutaka Prison (Te Ara Tauwhaiti) and Manawatu Prison (Tū Mai).

According to the report, the pilots showed promise for reducing gang exposure and improving outcomes for youth.

The units had “reintegration workers who supported and mentored the young men” and implemented a 12-week tikanga Māori program that promoted links with whānau.

Evaluations showed that the units helped young men get parole earlier, access treatment more quickly and adhere to conditions, reducing reoffending.

Despite the approval of the then Chief Juvenile Court Judge and the Chief Ombudsman, and positive feedback from staff who worked in these units, the young people and their uncle, the Department of Corrections ended these youth unit pilot initiatives.

Then the young people were returned to the main units, where the influence of the gang was stronger.

The head of Manawatu Prison said he tried to save Tu Mai but could no longer get funding.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Prisons for Men Neil Beals, in recent years correctional institutions have experienced staffing pressures, which has affected the implementation of rehabilitation and integration programs.

Ader said she did not recommend creating more youth units.

“While youth units can be beneficial, they are not necessarily the answer to all young people in prison.

“While some young people are vulnerable to bullying and intimidation, others need to be managed according to the risk they pose to the safety and order of the prison.”

But young people placed in regular maximum security cells with adult inmates said they found it difficult to escape gang influence and intimidation.

“It’s dangerous if you’re not in a gang. You have no choice, they put us with the big boys,” said one young man.

“It’s dangerous if you’re nothing. This is their home if they are in the business of living. They’ll tell you that if you do what they say, they’ll tattoo you, patch you up, and give you stuff.

“Gangs take care of children, give them shoes and food. If not, you will be hidden and you will go to (segregation).”

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