The Abuse in Care report and the Government’s boot camp proposal

Written By: - Date published: 10:53 am, July 25th, 2024 - 24 comments
Categories: crime, law, law and "order", national, prisons, same old national, Social issues - Tags:

Yesterday the Royal Commission’s report into abuse in care was released.

The timing for the Government is unfortunate. Because the report makes a compelling case to suggest that boot camps do not work.

Part of the report deals with the Whakapakiri Camp, a form of boot camp run by a formerly famous professional wrestler by the name of John Da Silva. The report says this:

Children and young people in the custody of the Director General of Social Welfare were sent there by social workers or sentenced by judges in the Youth Court. Many had significant emotional and psychological problems but were not assessed for their needs such as disability or neurodiversity. Staff estimated that 80 percent of them were Māori, 14 percent Pākehā, 5 percent Pacific Peoples and 1 percent ‘other’.’ Most were male but some were female. They were mostly aged between 14 and 16 years old but some were as young as 12 years old. They were sent to the programme for between one and six months. Although the young person or their guardian’s consent was required, this was not always obtained. Children and young people were housed in substandard tents, with long drop toilets and little or no hot water for bathing. The daily emphasis was on physically demanding work, such as chopping and moving firewood, hunting and gardening.  Supervisors had guns, ostensibly for hunting, but these were also used to instil discipline and, at times, to facilitate sexual assault.

5. Survivors described extreme psychological, physical and sexual abuse at Whakapakari causing severe mental and physical pain. They were also physically, educationally and medically neglected. There is evidence to suggest physical and sexual abuse were used as punishment as well as to intimidate. Instead of being rehabilitated, survivors suffered immense harm from their experiences there. Its geographical isolation made it was almost impossible for children and young people to escape and difficult to alert their whānau or social worker to what was happening.

6. The State funded the programme until its closure in 2004 but failed to monitor it or to safeguard the children and young people in its care at Whakapakari. It failed to respond to the repeated disclosures of abuse by children and young people sent there. There were numerous but inadequate investigations into complaints. Reports and recommendations to close or improve the programme were not acted on. The State’s failure to respond to the allegations of abuse and its willingness to continue to support and fund the programme in the face of these reports meant that children and young people continued to be subjected to physical, psychological and sexual violence, including rape.

It also has this comment about boot camps:

Research demonstrates that ‘boot camps’ and other harsh ‘short sharp shock’ interventions for youth are ineffective at reducing repeat offending. In 1983, before Whakapakari was approved as a provider of State care, Department of Justice research found that 71 percent of young people reoffended within 12 months of release. In 1988, reconviction rates of young offenders in these settings were 92 percent, the highest of any sentence in that year. This was finally recognised by the Department of Child, Youth and Family in 2004 when it ceased funding of Te Whakapakari Youth Trust, citing research that ‘boot camp’ type environments do not effect positive change, especially to reduce reoffending.

Of course National is claiming that what it is proposing is not boot camps but something else called Military Style Academies. If it quacks like a duck …

This morning on Radio New Zealand Erica Stanford tried to differentiate National’s proposal with boot camps by claiming that there would be counselling and mentoring as part of the proposal as well as 9 months of supervision to reengage the young person with their whanau and community after the sentence was completed.

But these powers already exist. Supervision with Residence orders can be from three to six months and following their release they are made subject to supervision for a period between six and twelve months.

The Government is using existing programmes and facilities to engage in what is essentially a branding exercise.

And it is using a model which has repeatedly failed in the past and in the case of Whakapakiri caused acutual harm and abuse.

The spirit of forgiveness in Parliament yesterday was palpable. Chris Hipkins’ request that the issue be depoliticised was the right call to make.

If the Government wanted to make a statement about its commitment to righting the attrocities highlighted by the report it would abandon its policy.

But it is already clear that its political interests will win out.

Albert Einstein is reputed to have said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. This could also be said to be National’s approach to law and order.

24 comments on “The Abuse in Care report and the Government’s boot camp proposal ”

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  1. Mike the Lefty 1
    25 July 2024 at 11:17 am

    It is hard to believe National's assertion that what is planned are not "boot camps" when they called them exactly that both before and after the election. National are now so embarrassed they don't know which way to look.

    I don't pity them and their empty headed promises which now seem so inappropriate.

  2. ianmac 2
    25 July 2024 at 12:09 pm

    Wonder if Boot Camps are the "new" form of abuse while in State care?

  3. SPC 3
    25 July 2024 at 1:54 pm

    One Crown Institution, the New Zealand police, has its own history of abuse of Maori (forced confessions), so it is little wonder it never investigated abuse elsewhere.

    An above the law middle class enforces state power and gave/gives religious groups (social control agent) licence to do the same.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/300532442/a-state-of-denial-and-the-ongoing-impact-of-generations-of-damage

    The current C of C is indicative that the mentality is alive and well.

    Managing teens via boot camps and others by higher levels of imprisonment, all with middle class consent. The landlord regime is still with us.

    Perspective. The government tendency to exempt itself from accountability – HRA etc.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/300529090/pm-wont-commit-to-recommendation-to-legally-protect-children-from-abuse-in-care?rm=a

  4. tsmithfield 4
    25 July 2024 at 2:17 pm

    In my opinion, the issues identified as problems with boot camps apply would apply to any intervention that takes an individual out of their environment, then returns them to the same environment without adequate continuing support and community intervention. That would include prisons or borstals for example.

    When I was at Uni we had a lecture from someone who headed up a youth intervention program in the US. This involved taking serious youth offenders into a controlled environment. The program saw significant changes in youth while in the program. But, they quickly relapsed when they returned to their community.

    Therefore, to make the program more effective, they set up various supports in the community. This included; interventions for the parents who were often very depressed; mentor support in the community; and support in finding a job.

    This well researched article provides similar insights.

    According to the article, boot camps provided youth substantial benefits in the program, but:

    According to MacKenzie, who conducted a follow-up study for national review in 2007, boot camps do not offer adequate evidence supporting its efficacy in reducing recidivism of participating teens. According to her, boot camps appear to lack the necessary components of an effective long term therapy and three to six months treatment is too short to change a lifetime of bad behavior. As a result, it is not surprising that boot camps have not been effective in reducing recidivism. Aftercare programs are needed, and without a dedicated aftercare, teens will just fall back into their old habits. The lack of aftercare is one main reason why boot camps have such poor record on recidivism rates of its participating teens.

    It appears that the model proposed by the government seeks to address the concerns raised by MacKenzie. Firstly, as I understand it, the programs are considerably longer than the typical length mentioned above. Secondly, I understand that the government is proposing community support for youth after leaving the program.

    The concern for me is that the community support the government ends up providing may be inadequate to achieve very much. But, if they really do set up effective community support for returning youth, then I think there is good reason to hope the programs will be successfu.

    • SPC 4.1
      25 July 2024 at 3:22 pm

      Maybe they should begin to provide an improved circumstance before taking them out of their urban environment. Mentoring, providing opportunities – tutoring and activities. Networking with ancestry marae. Thus, this is what they return to. It would also allow a more civilised "boot camp".

      • tsmithfield 4.1.1
        26 July 2024 at 9:26 am

        I on the board of Crossroads Youth with a Future which attempts the sort of approach you recommend. The problem is that we can't do much about the huge gaps these youth tend to have in their academic background etc.

        If the argument that something hasn't worked in the past therefore it can't work in the future were applied in the areas of science and innovation, then we probably wouldn't have the lightbulb or many other modern niceties these days if you think about it.

        The key is to identify why something hasn't worked well previously, and make adjustments to ensure it works in the future.

        • Will 4.1.1.1
          26 July 2024 at 11:02 am

          I'm part of a group that uses team sport to integrate troubled young people into an environment that shows them an alternative to their lived experiences. We do what we can with the little we have. I'm unconvinced about how successful boot camps will be. Given past experiences, if we do get it right, it will be extraordinary.

        • I Feel Love 4.1.1.2
          26 July 2024 at 12:36 pm

          The Minister for Children wasn't as confident as you TSmithfield… She couldn't guarantee no one would get abused (or to be fair she just didn't know).

          • PsyclingLeft.Always 4.1.1.2.1
            26 July 2024 at 1:25 pm

            Speaking to Checkpoint, Chhour said what survivors went through in boot camps in the 90s was "traumatic" and "horrendous".

            She said young people were isolated on an island with those in charge carrying weapons and having full control. There was no way for the young people to tell anyone what was happening.

            Unreal that this happened in the..90's ! So terribly recent. But Chhour reckons..

            Chhour said the government would be open and transparent about the boot camps it was starting.

            "I think we've proven that already by letting media in to see exactly where these young people will be and showing them some of the activities that these young people will be involved in."

            And again, Chhour..

            When asked if she could guarantee young people would not be at risk of abuse in the boot camps, she could not.

            "If it does [happen] and somebody sees something, they say something and we action as quickly as we possibly can.

            https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/523148/minister-can-t-guarantee-abuse-won-t-occur-at-controversial-boot-camps

            Again :

            "If it does [happen] and somebody sees something, they say something and we action as quickly as we possibly can".

            They say something. We take action. As quick as we possibly can.

            Knowing of these abusers…and how the vulnerable are listened to. And the actions taken. I dont believe a word you, or your NACT1 cronies, mouth.

        • Descendant Of Smith 4.1.1.3
          26 July 2024 at 4:36 pm

          Or to look at things that helped in the past such as adult learning in secondary schools. Community education that helped people get back into learning even if they started off learning how to recover a sofa, or do a bit of pottery and at the same time also ensured the school was more part of the local community outside 9:00 to 3:00.

          Public service cadetships for young people the private sector won't take, including those with disabilities – effective for NZ rather than efficient.

          A focus on full employment not 6% unemployment which immediately condemns a chunk of the population.

          A less punitive, more helpful welfare system that builds trust and support.

          Mechanising low paid work to lift productivity and don't rely on immigrants to provide wage suppression.

          Four day working weeks to spread the work around.

          Woodwork and metal work back in schools.

          • tsmithfield 4.1.1.3.1
            26 July 2024 at 4:53 pm

            Remember we the proposed program is intended to deal with highly dysfunctional, serious criminal youth offenders.

            What you are suggesting would likely work for youth who are a bit lost, or heading towards the wrong direction. So, I don't disagree with the suggestion. I just don't think it would work with the target group.

            • Descendant Of Smith 4.1.1.3.1.1
              26 July 2024 at 7:22 pm

              You are missing the point. The destruction of such things means some youth will become dysfunctional when if there was wider societal support around them they would not.

              Will the private sector employ all school leavers – no.
              Are some youth more kinesthetic and drawn to non-academic pursuits – yes.
              Does the longer a young person is unemployed (and not be seen as not needed by society) mean they are more likely to have mental health issues – yes
              Do we have good mechanisms to help young people get back into education in a good way – no
              Do we have churches and charities and rich people wanting to make money off dysfunction – yes (homeless in motels but one example)………

              • Descendant Of Smith …
                26 July 2024 at 7:44 pm

                "then returns them to the same environment"

                We want to change the individual when we actually need to change the environment they are in so they do not need changing in the first place.

                • tsmithfield …
                  27 July 2024 at 11:16 am

                  It is both. Fixing the environment won't fix educational gaps or addictions, or deal with the emotional damage that has been inflicted on these youth. So, dealing with both sides of the coin is required.

    • AB 4.2
      25 July 2024 at 8:59 pm

      Nah. Just end poverty, wait two generations*, then see what scale of problems are left to mop up by some other interventions.

      *For two generations lets say 40 years, exactly the same period of time since we started the radical right-wing experiment that we are all still unfortunate enough to be living inside.

      • tsmithfield 4.2.1
        26 July 2024 at 9:27 am

        Your comment is tongue in cheek I assume? But probably true about the way we tend to do things now though, unfortunately.

        • JeremyB 4.2.1.1
          26 July 2024 at 11:44 am

          "Your comment is tongue in cheek I assume?"
          Why would you assume this?

          • tsmithfield 4.2.1.1.1
            26 July 2024 at 4:12 pm

            Because if the comment wasn't tongue in cheek it sounds like giving up to me.

            • Descendant Of Smith 4.2.1.1.1.1
              26 July 2024 at 7:37 pm

              I took it to mean we will take another 40 years to fix it – but only if we want to change direction.

              I would add to that the key to fixing it is to actually bring Maori concepts such as whanaungtanga, manakitanga, kotahitanga, kaitiakitanga, etc into public policy and public discourse even more than they are now.

              To build connections between people with New Zealand ideals and concepts.

              We are currently going in the reverse direction and need a New Zealand solution. What we do know is that the colonial constructs of incarceration, of individualism, of capitalism rather than the common good is not working.

              We seem to be shifting to more American Randian behaviours – not surprising given the number of wealthy US citizens who have moved here or massively corrupt immigrants who are quite happy to rip off their own people – all supported by the state.

  5. Ad 5
    25 July 2024 at 5:42 pm

    It is simply cruel and wrong that there's no provision in the 2024-5 budget to compensate those who have clearly been damaged by this set of institutional crimes.

    The reports' list of Minister and senior officials over multiple decades who belittled and denied compensation is worthy of its own repot just to name and shame the.

    I mean good on Chloe Swarbrick for decrying 'boot camps', but honestly that's minor compared to what's on record here over multiple decades.

    • Anne 5.1
      25 July 2024 at 7:54 pm

      I have been pondering this very issue.

      The truth is, the ministers and the senior officials who were directly and/or indirectly responsible for these institutional crimes occurring will never be publicly named because they were once people in high places. This is why the behaviour continued with impunity for so many decades. The few times, that I know of, where they were brought to justice was when there was money involved.

      An unwritten societal law would seem to be: the protection of the reputations of people in high places (dead or alive) is far more important than the victims of their foul play.

  6. joe90 6
    26 July 2024 at 1:45 pm

    Despicable conduct by the top end of town. It's who they are.

    /

    Two formal complaints have been laid against Dunedin lawyer Frazer Barton over the destruction of records linked to historical abuse.

    Mr Barton was named in the final report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care — a 3000-page, nine-part document which was made public on Wednesday.

    According to the report, former Presbyterian Support Otago chief executive Gillian Bremner made the decision to destroy records after seeking "informal advice" from Mr Barton.

    Mr Barton is also a former PSO board chairman and is currently the president of the New Zealand Law Society.

    https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/complaint-against-top-dunedin-lawyer-over-destruction-records