Closure of Crime Research Centre Will Widen Research Gap

“Closure of the Crime and Justice Centre at Victoria University, will further widen the crime research gap between New Zealand and allied nations”, says Kim Workman, of Rethinking Crime and Punishment. “There is already a significant gap in research output in New Zealand, compared to Australia and the United Kingdom. The research that came out of the Centre salvaged our reputation, and its work in addressing victims needs, youth justice, and public safety, provided substantial public good. Without an independent criminal justice research centre, we will not have information that can add value to the government’s Driver’s of Crime strategy, or its ‘Fresh Start ‘ youth justice initiatives.”

“An independent research facility that can question the status quo and populist thinking, is vital to the nation. Criminal Justice research in government agencies is often prescribed and limited to operational issues, and reinforces existing values, beliefs and political ideology. Often, it is subject to ministerial influence. What is currently needed, is research that thinks outside the square”. “It has become noticeable in recent years, that the government is not commissioning vital research in such areas as youth justice, and Maori over-representation in the criminal justice system. Family Group Conferencing has not been evaluated for some years. When one compares the lack of research into Maori over-representation for example, with the exciting and courageous research being done in Australia into indigenous crime, we are a poor cousin indeed.”
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