Will's Word: How can this govt's bootcamps avoid the mistakes of the past?

This is a transcript from Will’s Word on Monday, 24th of June.

The government's plan to get tough on youth offenders sounds alarming. Instead of helping young people who make mistakes, these new measures could make things worse.

Sending young offenders to military-style academies might seem like a solution, but it could actually make them more likely to commit crimes again. These places often don't address the real reasons why young people turn to crime, like problems at home or not having enough opportunities.

Increasing electronic monitoring and giving police more power to arrest young people without a warrant also raises big concerns. It could mean less privacy and fewer rights for young people, which isn't fair.

Instead of focusing only on punishment, we should be looking at ways to prevent crime in the first place. That means investing in programs that help young people stay out of trouble, like better schools and support for families. We should also be using methods that help young offenders learn from their mistakes and make things right with the people they've hurt.

In the end, a fair and effective approach to youth crime means looking at the bigger picture and giving young people the support they need to grow into responsible adults.

…. That’s Will’s Word…