http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0410/S00047.htm
"ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader and Police Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today urged the Government to catch and deal with young offenders now, before it is too late and they grow into hardened adult criminals who end up spending their lives in and out of prison.
"Fresh research has shown that two thirds of young offenders dealt with by Family Group Conferences reoffend, with 20 percent ending up in prison. Perhaps this will show the Government that FGCs do not work for repeat offenders," Dr Newman said.
"Further, answers to my written Parliamentary Questions have revealed that, between 1999-2003, youth apprehensions rose 10 percent from 30,665 to 33,994. These are the latest statistics the Government holds and numbers would have increased further by now."
"This means that more and more young offenders are being dealt with by a process that fails to alter their behaviour and attitude.
