More effort should be put into youth diversion rather than tougher bail laws, says former NT and Federal police commissioner Mick Palmer

THE NT Government needs to look at introducing preventive measures rather than locking up young offenders if long term change is to happen, says former NT and Federal Police Commissioner, Mick Palmer

Former NT and Federal Police Commissioner Mick Palmer says the NT Government needs to look at introducing preventive measures rather than locking children up if long term change is to occur

FORMER NT and Federal Police Commissioner Mick Palmer says the NT Government needs to look at introducing preventive measures rather than locking children up if long term change is to occur.

Mr Palmer, who spent his career on the frontline, now spends time working with the Ted Noffs Foundation’s Street University program.

The program provides a safe space for youths to visit and speak with professionals.

Former NT and Federal Police Commissioner Mick Palmer says the NT Government needs to look at introducing preventive measures rather than locking children up if long term change is to occur

He said on ABC Radio this morning the Government’s proposed changes to youth justice laws, which strengthen bail regulations would not fix the problem.

Mr Palmer said that early intervention and diversion programs that helped youths in trouble get on the right path would work to reduce social issues.

“Prison doesn’t work. You know I’ve spent a lot of time putting people into prison myself but the fact is, we have to accept that jailing is a failure. Jail doesn’t work in isolation,” he said.

Mick Palmer pictured in 1994 when he was the Northern Territory Police Commissioner. Picture: Peter Bennett

“It still is necessary in regard to serious crime and certain crimes but it’s not the solution unless we look seriously at early interventions and a multiple suite of options, by way (of allowing) us to engage much more calmly and seriously with young offenders.”

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“We will get some short term gain with some of the initiatives being considered by the government, but at the end of the day … people come out of prison generally much worse than they go in.”

He said issues such as neglect, poverty and a lack of self worth needed to be addressed.

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“We need to look much more seriously at some of those issues, initiatives that may well change behaviour patterns and give people a reason, should give them hope, make them realise that you know, we have some understanding of the underlying causes that are causing some of their behaviour,” he said.

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