Budget fact sheets 2007 - redevelopment of Lower North youth justice facility

The Government is investing just under $13m over the next two years in expanding and upgrading the Lower North youth justice facility in Palmerston North.

The Youth Justice Residential Services accommodate the most difficult young persons who cannot, because of their behaviour, be housed in the community.

Completed eight years ago, the Lower North design was based on traditional containment philosophies with a central hub and two wings.  The redevelopment will be modelled on the successful Youth Justice South facility.

The new ‘pod’ design allows for smaller groups to be accommodated together (up to 10) and kept separate, rather than the larger groups of 15 per wing which are currently housed together.  The upgrade provides 10 extra beds which will help address the incidence of young people being held in Police cells.

The two new accommodation units will be built on an existing sports field, two extra beds will be added to the secure unit and enlarged courtyards will be built.

The re-designed Palmerston North facility will provide a safer high quality environment that better meets the therapeutic needs of some of our most vulnerable and troubled young people.

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