Fears placing teen offenders in mainstream prisons could jeopardise their chance for rehabilitation

The Department of Corrections may re-purpose youth units at Hawkes Bay and Christchurch Men's prisons to quarantine inmates with Covid.

But the Office of the Children's Commissioner says it's unsafe for young prisoners to be housed with adults.

Assistant Maori Commissioner Glenis Philip Barbara says teenagers brains are still developing and are impacted by their environment.

She says there's only a small window for rehabilitation, healing and recovery - and the best work must be done while they are still young.