Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

A victims' advocate is joining calls for an overhaul of the youth-justice system. National wants tougher penalties for young people who commit robberies and ram raids. It says while there's been a halving of prosecutions of young people since 2017 – ram raids have increased 518 percent under Labour's watch. Ruth Money told Kate Hawkesby tougher punishments aren't the solution, as there are major systemic issues in the way young offenders are dealt with. She says better resourcing is needed, and it's not as simple as putting offenders through an Oranga Tamariki-run family group conference. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.