Summarised by Centrist
A 15-year-old Christchurch boy with a violent criminal history and mental health issues spent six nights in police custody after being charged with burglary. The incident involved property damage alongside a group of older teenagers, most of whom were bailed or placed in Oranga Tamariki care.
The boy, however, remained in a police cell until a space became available in a secure youth justice residence.
He was remanded by a Youth Court judge under section 238(1)(e) of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989. This clause applies when “suitable facilities for the detention in safe custody… are not available.”
Oranga Tamariki confirmed that “occasionally there are challenges” in finding immediate placement. “We aim to move them into suitable alternative placements as soon as possible… On these occasions, they may remain in police custody for more than 24 hours,” said deputy chief executive Iain Chapman. “This is not what we want to happen, and we monitor these situations closely.”
There are 188 beds in secure residences and 97 in community homes, and OT says they are operating at maximum safe capacity “from time to time.”
The boy’s mother said he attempted to take his own life on the first night. “If there are no spaces in OT care, he should be released home,” she said.
