Reports Reveal Unlawful Treatment of Children at Christchurch Youth Facility

Harrowing details have emerged regarding resident conditions at a Christchurch youth justice facility today. Former residents told the New Zealand Herald that living at Child, Youth and Family's Te Puna Wai o Tuhinapo was "like the Hunger Games," after documents revealed teens were being unlawfully strip searched, put in seclusion and restrained by staff members. The revelations come just months after an investigation into an Australian detention centre showed guards tear gassing juveniles—means that the guard in question defended as "necessary." The Office of the Children's Commissioner reported that staff often used "inappropriate force" on teens, and also detained them in a seclusion wing for weeks unnecessarily as punishment. The detainees were also put in suicide gowns.

When social worker Paul Nixon visited the Christchurch facility, he noted on a phone conference in mid-October that three young people had been in "secure care" since September without review. One woman, who resided at Te Puna Wai three years ago, told The Herald she recalls being secluded for 14 days for hitting another resident—without a judge's recommendation. "When I was in there, it was for 23 hours a day. I was strip-searched, chucked in a cell…I didn't know about a judge," she said. The woman was also allegedly pinned to the ground by a male staff member after throwing a cellphone at a wall. Another former detainee said that although the majority of the staff were reasonable, there were a few "bent screws"—which meant that a situation could easily turn sour. She described the environment as a stand-off between residents and hostile staff. This was affirmed within Nixon's review: "Staff see themselves as needing to be seen to 'win' situations with young people." While Children's Commissioner, Judge Andrew Becroft, acknowledged the illegality of the documented breaches, he said improvements have been made since then. Becroft is seeking funding for inspections of youth residences every six months rather than every 18. "I want to get right to the bottom of exactly what is done, day-by-day. Our office has taken it very seriously," he said. In the meantime, Child Youth and Family (soon to be Ministry for Vulnerable Children) is considering other "community-based options" for youth rehabilitation. Youth crime rates are reported to have hit a record low this year.

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