Back to RJ Archive

The New Zealand Youth Court: A Model for Use with Adults

McElrea, F W M
June 4, 2015

Source: (1996) In: B. Galaway and J. Hudson (eds.), Restorative Justice: International Perspectives. Monsey, NY: Criminal Justice Press, pp. 69-84.

The New Zealand Youth Court is based on restorative justice principles in the sense that power is transferred from the state to the community. Family group conferences are used as a mechanism for producing a negotiated, community response; involvement of victims as key participants makes possible a healing process for both the offender and victim. The practices under the legislation reflect in part the introduction of Maori concepts into the system for responding to youthful offenders. The same model can, with minor modifications, be extended to adult offenders with the notion of community group conferences being used instead of family group conferences.

Tags:

Abstract
Support the cause

We've Been Restoring Justice for More Than 40 Years

Your donation helps Prison Fellowship International repair the harm caused by crime by emphasizing accountability, forgiveness, and making amends for prisoners and those affected by their actions. When victims, offenders, and community members meet to decide how to do that, the results are transformational.

Donate Now