Campaign Blog: 29 October

The release of National's Prisons policy, a visit to Air New Zealand's hangers, a drop-in to a pre-school, and a meeting with Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, were all highlights of my visit to Christchurch yesterday.

The day was fine and calm when I arrived, but a strong Nor-Westerly was forecast.

I started the day visiting a pre-school, and read a story to the children about a yellow digger.

I am a bit of an aviation nut, so the visit to Air New Zealand hangers at Christchurch Airport was of interest.

We saw their work on aircraft engines and parts, and their Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s. The airline obviously has a thriving engineering business at the airport.

We were originally scheduled to release our Prisons policy outside Rolleston Prison, but changed the venue to outside the Christchurch courthouse because of the rising winds.

The policy focuses on reforming our prisons and offering prisoners work experience and other help to overcome debilitating drug and alcohol addiction problems.

With the carrot is the stick of cancelling parole for those prisoners who are able to work but refuse to do so.

I believe it is a waste of resources letting offenders serve their time without challenging them to change their behaviour, only to release them and throw them back in prison again when they reoffend.Â

Today I am heading to the deep south, flying to Queenstown and then travelling on to Invercargill, where I will be staying overnight.

John Key

To comment, click here

© Scoop Media