Media Release

Hon Roger McClay

Commissioner for Children 21 May 2001

"Empty Some Cells – says Children’s Commissioner"

"How many of our current prison population would pose no harm to themselves or others if they were released today," Commissioner for Children, Roger McClay, asked the Manawatu Justices of the Peace at their annual luncheon in the weekend.

Mr McClay told the JP’s that "we seem to have been locking more and more people away as the years go by" and that "we do not seem to be solving the issues which necessitate so much penal space".

He told the JP’s that if just 10 such prisoners could be released, it would free up more than half a million dollars which might be better spent on new initiatives and better ways of rehabilitation.

Mr McClay said that the old ‘solutions’ of prison and corporal punishment did not seem to be working and that as a society we are failing too many of our children and young persons.

Full speech notes are available from the Office of the Commissioner for Children. Telephone: 04-471-1410.

Office of the Commissioner for Children Level 12, 86-90 Lambton Quay PO Box 5610 Lambton Quay WELLINGTON

phone: 4711 410 phone fax: 4711 418 fax

email: children@occ.org.nz email

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