Budget 2012: Reducing Reoffending, Victims of Crime
Hon Anne Tolley
Minister of Corrections
Hon Dr Pita Sharples
Associate Minister of
Corrections
21 May 2012
Media
Statement
Budget 2012:
Reducing Reoffending, Victims of Crime
Budget
2012 will contribute to a 25 per cent reduction in
reoffending by 2017, and 18,500 fewer victims of crime every
year from 2017, Corrections Minister Anne Tolley and
Associate Corrections Minister Dr Pita Sharples
say.
The moves are part of the Prime Minister’s
expectations for a more efficient and results-driven public
service.
A boost in alcohol and drug treatment,
alongside increased education, skills training and
employment programmes for prisoners, including remand
prisoners, will lead to safer communities and better value
for money for taxpayers.
From 2017, there will also
be 600 fewer prisoners in jail than in 2011, and 4,000 fewer
community offenders.
“It’s time to get serious
about breaking this vicious cycle of prison and
reoffending,” Mrs Tolley says.
“Offenders need
to be made accountable for their crimes. But while they are
in prison and upon their release, we must do more to
rehabilitate, and then reintegrate, if they are to avoid a
return to crime.”
Reprioritised funding of $65.0
million in operating expenditure over the next four years
will contribute to:
33,100 additional offenders
receiving new and expanded drug and alcohol treatment in
prisons and in the community (an increase of almost 500 per
cent).
7,855 additional prisoners and community
offenders receiving new and expanded
rehabilitation services (a 230 per cent
increase).
2,950 additional prisoners in education
and employment training (a 30 per cent
increase).
7,500 prisoners and community
offenders to be supported to find real jobs, in new
partnerships with employers and industry.
41,100
community offenders receiving new rehabilitation support
provided directly by probation officers
4,120
prisoners and community offenders in new rehabilitation
services delivered in partnership with iwi and community
groups.
6,000 prisoners and community based
offenders accessing new reintegration support programmes
from iwi and community groups.
“Corrections has
looked thoroughly at the way it operates as part of an
expenditure review, and has identified the best investments
to reduce reoffending,” Mrs Tolley says. “We know that
two thirds of prisoners have addiction problems, and that up
to 90 per cent can’t read or write well.
“By
seriously addressing these major contributors to crime,
alongside increased employment opportunities, we can reduce
the likelihood of reoffending.
“A 25 per cent
reduction in reoffending is bold but achievable, and Budget
2012 delivers on our promise to make communities
safer.”
Dr Sharples says this funding represents
a significant shift towards rehabilitation and restoration
of prisoners to their whānau and communities.
“This is a more humane response to offending,
and it is cheaper and more effective. Simply sentencing more
and more people to longer terms of imprisonment is not
sustainable.
“Addressing the drivers of crime,
and involving whānau and communities in rehabilitating
offenders, is the way forward for us.
“These
offenders can go on to contribute to society, and by staying
away from crime there will be fewer victims, as well as
reduced pressure on the justice sector pipeline – and that
means a better and more efficient service.
“With
the prison population beginning to fall, we can change our
approach to Corrections and focus our investments more on
those in custody and less on property,” Dr Sharples
says.
ENDS