In his presentation Judge Becroft will inquire into the current state of youth offending in New Zealand. “What is really going on behind the rhetoric and politicising of this area, crucial to our country’s future?” he will ask. ”And, what is the best response to youth offending? Can we stop it? Is there hope? Do we need more short sharp shocks, boot camps and scared straight programmes?” . He aims to identify the essentials of a community response to youth offending. “How do we stop our troubled children graduating to tertiary level universities of crime?”. Judge Becroft has been Principal Youth Court Judge since 2001, and is a strong advocate on youth issues.