Expanded work-in-prisons applauded by Sensible Sentencing

The Government’s announcement of expanded work requirements for prisoners has been applauded by the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

Trust spokesman, Garth McVicar, today said: “We have called for prisoners to be put to work in prisons for many years. We are delighted the Government has committed to significantly increasing the focus on this initiative. It has the potential to reduce crime and set prisoners on a new path.

“The holy grail is a reduction in victimization, driven by a reduction in crime committed.

“We are hopeful that engaging more prisoners in work will help them better themselves, instill a work ethic which is often missing, improve their chances of rehabilitation and ultimately stop committing crime.

“The saying: “Idle hands make the devils work” is as true today, as it was when first uttered.

Mr. McVicar said while the Trust gave its full support to the initiative it came with a proviso.

“Public safety must always be of paramount consideration and we encourage all concerned, inmates included, to think very carefully before doing anything that could jeopardize public safety.”

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>