WRIST SLAPS DON’T WORK

INTERESTING. Politicians on both sides of the debate over repeat offenders in the juvenile justice system accuse the other of clinging to tired old approaches yet expecting different results.

Youth Minister Di Farmer claims there is no evidence that naming and shaming youth offenders and penalising heavily for bail breaches have any effect on reining in juvenile crime.

LNP Broadwater MP David Crisafulli castigates the Government for overturning legislation that allowed these steps, and says its gentle strategies have been tried and have not worked.

The truth is out there, somewhere. What Gold Coasters know for sure is that there is a sizeable element of young offenders who have been growing increasingly bold.

As our special Golden Age report today found, the kids packing the Children’s Court precinct are not in awe of the institution they have been taken before and show no apparent fear of the potential consequences before they disappear into a closed courtroom.

When they emerge, many are laughing with their mates. There is no obvious contrition but plenty of bravado and delight in comparing sentences.

The Bulletin agrees with Mr Crisafulli. Kids who commit serious violent crime should expect to have their name and image plastered all over the newspaper. Youths with a long criminal history should expect to cop strict penalties when they front the court again.

Without effective deterrents, what is the point in having a juvenile justice system?

Like Mr Crisafulli and indeed Ms Farmer, we agree everyone should have a second chance. Some kids just need to be put back on track.

But society expects a line to be drawn quickly and it is high time the Government made this possible and for the courts and agencies to honour that.