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 The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... 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.