Dunne: Archaic corrections policies letting us down

UnitedFuture Leader Peter Dunne has reiterated his call for an overhaul of our archaic corrections system.

“The state of the nation report released by the Salvation Army last week paints an extremely grim picture of the state of our corrections system and the policies which govern it,” said Mr Dunne.

“Not only are we making no progress in reducing the rates of recidivism, those rates are actually increasing, nearly 59% of all prisoners are re-convicted within 24 months of release.”

“Most agree that such statistics are unacceptable; however successive governments have done little to try to address this trend. Sentencing remains entirely punitive in its motive, driven by fear, ignorance and entrenched prejudices.”

“The problem with prison in New Zealand is that it does not do what it should, which is to rehabilitate inmates.”

“Inmates with drug and alcohol addictions, with literacy or social problems are not treated in prison; we are told the money isn’t there.”

“I have received correspondence from current prisoners pleading to have access to drug and alcohol rehab, counselling and education courses; however most are merely stuck in front of TV 23 hours a day twiddling their thumbs.”

“The higher the rate of recidivism, the larger the number of inmates, the larger the financial burden on the taxpayer, the harder the situation is to reverse.”

The Salvation Army has estimated the cost of running the Department of Corrections will exceed $1 billion for the first time in 2009/10. It now costs the taxpayer nearly $90 000 a year to house a sentenced prisoner in New Zealand.

“We have to change course. Investment is urgently needed in alcohol and drug treatment, literacy courses and job training programs for inmates. A moderate investment wisely spent now will save the taxpayer a fortune in the decades to come.”

“It is crucial that we lower the rate of recidivism in New Zealand, the only way to do that is to provide those coming out of prison with the core life-skills to constructively contribute to the community,” concluded Mr Dunne.

ENDS

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