Prson blowout is actually a reoffending blowout

The government’s billion-dollar prison budget blowout shows they have failed to tackle reoffending and recidivism, and need to be smarter on crime, says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“Bill English has said himself that our prisons are a ‘moral and fiscal failure’, but the Government has not found ways to stop the cost of our prison population from growing.

“Corrections figures show a massive 69% of people starting new sentences have been sentenced previously. This reveals how our prison population blowout is largely a reoffending blowout.

“ACT suggests a two-pronged approach to reducing recidivism. First, we would provide disincentives for reoffending through policies like three strikes for burglary.

“We know three-strikes style laws reduce recidivism, with the rate of second-strike recidivism for violent crime had reduced by 62% in the five years after Three Strikes for Violent Crime passed, compared to the five years prior to the law’s passage.

“Secondly, we would put a much larger focus on education and training for prisoners.

“There are many potential volunteers, including many retired teachers, who would like to help tutor prisoners on areas like literacy but are locked out by red tape and administrative costs.

“Even basic driver training can make a big difference to prisoners. For many prisoners their first encounter with the law is a driving offence, and not having a valid drivers’ license can be a major barrier to gaining employment on release.

“The government should set up stronger incentives for prisoners to complete driving and literacy courses like those offered by the Howard League and other volunteer-based organisations.”

ENDS

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