Opposition to New Youth Prison in Weymouth

Cliff from Weymouth

In Weymouth we have a Care and Protection Residence for up to 14 year olds in Weymouth Road (Whakatakpoki) which the Ministry of Children no longer needs because they have a change of policy in dealing with Care and Protection. The Ministry is trying to change the designation from Care and Protection to a youth prison for up to 19 year olds and increasing the number of inmates by 50% in a densely populated area, with young families, schools and childcare facilities close by. Existing Youth Prisons are all sited away from densely populated residential areas. The Local Board are against it, our Local Auckland Councilors are against it, the residents association is against it. However OUR local MP for Manurewa LOUISA WALL has stated she is 100% in favour of it. I am trying to inform as many of her constituents as I can so they can see how she supports the local community (NOT). Needless to say she doesn't live in the immediate vicinity of the proposed prison. I don't remember seeing this proposed change in the local paper. The issue is currently being heard in the Environment Court and the neighbourhood are up against the resources of the Government, The Ministry for Children (and the local MP). There are already two prisons, a youth justice residence and drug treatment centre in the local area so we are not NIMBYs.