The age range for men in the Mirrors programme has been extended from 18 to 24 following feedback from the public.

Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, Neletha Butterfield, announced the move to MPs ahead of next month's programme, the sixth one to take place.

"In 2008 the Mirrors programme expanded to service males 18 to 21 years. However, for the upcoming community programme in June, the age range has been extended to cover males 18 to 24 years," she told the House of Assembly on Friday.

"This expansion of programming reflects the recognition that this age group represents a critical target group."

Ms Butterfield said the Mincy Report into young black men had shown that more efforts needed to be made with young men in the community.

"The debate in this honourable House a week ago on the Mincy Report was yet another reminder of the work we as a community must do to save our young men, and I thank the honourable Premier for engaging the House in that debate.

"It is clear that the Mirrors programme is having some measure of success in influencing the lives of our young people.

"Raising the upper age limit to 24 for the June residential is a direct result of the feedback received by the Mirrors team during their street enrolment efforts, where they experienced several young men interested in participating in the June 2009 residential, but they were older than the age allocation at that time."

The Minister said up to 60 percent of the 30 young men taking part in the June programme were within the 21 to 24 age bracket. Up to 57 percent of those enrolled had not completed high school and 66 percent had been arrested. A third had been jailed and 37 percent of those signing up were unemployed. Up to 93 percent had used drugs or alcohol in the past.

Ms Butterfield said: "Mirrors has a strong likelihood of decreasing criminal activity and involvement with the criminal justice system.

"That being the case, our aim is to turn around the lives of these 30 young men, and move them along the path of self-development such that they leave behind a life of crime, violence and anti-social behaviour."

She said: "The Mirrors programme continues to enhance our community through the elements of transformation, personal development and performance coaching.

"Having experienced the work of the Mirrors programme personally, I encourage the community to continue to embrace the programme by volunteering in some capacity in the upcoming June residential."