Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Reducing Reoffending Statistic Challenged

Reducing Reoffending Statistic Challenged - Prison-Based Rehabilitation Not the Answer


31st August 2014

In Rethinking’s latest blog, http://blog.rethinking.org.nz/2014/08/th-bps-reducing-crime-and-reoffending.htmlit closely examines the current claim that reoffending in New Zealand has reduced by 12.5% since June 2011, and reveals how that figure has been achieved. It argues that the actual reduction in reoffending by ex-prisoners over three years is in the order of 5.51% or an average of 1.8% per annum. The reduction in community –based offending is in the order of 13.6% over three years, or 4.5% per annum, due primarily to an increase in alternative dispositions by the Police.

The public however, have been led to believe that the reduction is largely due to in-prison rehabilitation. This misrepresentation is leading to a view that ‘prison works’, and that prisons are the default location for offender rehabilitation. That has led to a serious investment imbalance, with a severe shortage of community based rehabilitation provision, and the potential for the prison population to increase even further.

Rethinking calls for a post-election review of the BPS Reducing Crime and Reoffending Plan, which would include reviewing its communication strategy, its goals (including a new goal to reduce imprisonment), a cost-benefit analysis of existing programmes, and the establishment of an independent external evaluation mechanism for all rehabilitation programmes. It should also consider whether justice resources are being invested in the right places, and a review of the purpose of prison.

Read the blog at: http://blog.rethinking.org.nz/2014/08/th-bps-reducing-crime-and-reoffending.html
kim.workman@robsonhanan.org.nz


ends


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.