Simon Power MP
National Party Justice & Corrections Spokesman

18 October 2007

Prisons closer than ever to overflowing

The Labour Government's poor planning means prisons are so full that the spectre of prisoners being housed in vans on streets, as happened in 2005, may not be far away, says National's Justice & Corrections spokesman, Simon Power.

"The prison population has exploded way beyond all forecasts, and means the system is now closer to crisis point than it has ever been.

"Latest figures show that at the beginning of September the muster was 8,372 - just 252 short of the total capacity of 8,624, which includes beds set aside for disasters.

"This latest muster is 413 ahead of the Justice Ministry's forecast of 7,959 for September, and is already near to the forecast for 2011.

"In fact, Justice Minister Mark Burton acknowledged on October 1 that the muster 'is now approaching 8,500'.

"Even Corrections acting general manager Karen Urwin admitted on September 25 that 'Basically we have no spare capacity.'

"Clearly, the Government's 'Effective Interventions' experiment of electronic bail is having virtually no effect on reducing numbers.

"It was meant to save 120 beds a year but in the first 10 months saved only eight, and Treasury says it is 'uncertain' whether it 'will have the required effect of reducing the prisoner forecast ...'

"Mark Burton must assure the public right now that we will not see prisoners back in vans on streets and using showers in rugby clubrooms, like we saw in 2005.

"But judging by his floundering display in the House today, I am not confident he or his Government have any sort of firm handle on this looming crisis."

ENDS

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