Media Release

24 May 2006

Mark Welcomes Corrections Shake-Up

New Zealand First law and order spokesperson Ron Mark has welcomed the Government's announcement of a review of the Corrections Department's Head Office.

“We have been asking the Minister for some time to look closely at Head Office, and we are pleased that he has accepted the need for this review," said Mr Mark.

“The purpose of the review will be to ensure that Head Office functions are appropriately positioned and structured to meet organisational demands – something that it has been clearly failing to do for the last 6 years.

“This is a necessity born of the ongoing capital works cost overruns and the dismal failure of psychobabble rehabilitation programmes that have often resulted in criminals being more likely to re-offend.

“Examples of incompetence time and again have raised questions about Corrections’ inability to get on top of the problem of contraband, and confirmed its abysmal record in providing much needed drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

“In our opinion there are systemic and functional problems within the Head Office, coupled with bad advice that pile the pressure on the service and furthermore contribute to ongoing recruitment and retention issues.

"We are pleased that the Government has taken notice of New Zealand First's concerns and we look forward to a speedy conclusion of this review, and an even speedier enactment of the recommendations," concluded Mr Mark.

ENDS

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