Young Offenders Let Down, ■ Says Priest (Press, 26 October 1982)

On 26 October 1982, Rev. Felix Donnelly, a Catholic priest, addressed the annual meeting of the Movement for Alternatives to Prison in Auckland, highlighting issues concerning young offenders in New Zealand. He expressed concern that these youths are often "manipulated, let down, and cheated" by their families, institutions, and society. Donnelly noted that young New Zealanders lack a voice and have few rights, emphasising the serious plight facing these individuals. Donnelly shared his observations since opening a home for socially and emotionally needy youth in 1971. At that time, the average age of referral to the home was 19 years. In contrast, over a decade later, that average age had dropped to 15 years, indicating that the problems leading to youth offending were manifesting at significantly younger ages, often resulting in more distressing behaviours. He characterised the typical young offender as having low self-esteem, self-hatred, unresolved parental conflicts, and repeated interactions with various institutional and helping agencies. Further, Donnelly described young offenders as feeling indifferent about their futures, exhibiting anti-authority sentiments, and feeling powerless, suggesting that these youth are often repressing significant anger and resentment. He clarified that his portrayal of young offenders was not meant to evoke pity but rather to provide an honest depiction of their challenges. To address youth offending, Donnelly proposed a range of strategies, including reparative measures and, in some cases, restricting their freedom. He stressed the importance of early intervention to disrupt the patterns of criminal behaviour, advocating for remedial resources to be implemented at earlier stages. He mentioned that effective interventions could include special education programmes, comprehensive medical and psychological assessments, environmental changes, and adjustments in schooling. Donnelly criticised New Zealand's failure to provide adequate training and resources necessary to address the common factors contributing to youth offending. He urged for a more proactive approach to support at-risk youth, calling for societal recognition of their needs and the implementation of strategies that could mitigate the severity of their problems.

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