Media release:

NZ prisoners refused consultation on privatization

“Justice Action, based in Sydney, has been asked by New Zealand prisoners and community members to help respond to the issue of prison privatisation. Submissions to the NZ Select Committee on Law and Order close on May 22,” said JA spokesperson Brett Collins. .

Justice Action represented prisoners at the Australian Inquiry into prison privatisation. “We asked Minister Judith Collins for a meeting with Mt Eden and Paremoremo prisoner committees to be properly briefed for our submission and to ensure they were aware of the issues for their response.” said Mr Collins.

“Today speaking for Minister Judith Collins, Kelley Reeve said that there were problems about such a consultation. These included prisoners being too busy working, having scheduled programs, not having enough staff, no easy area for a meeting available and not having any elected representatives,” said Mr Collins.

“NZ prisoners have not had the opportunity to respond to this fundamental issue as to who controls them. They have not been told of the prospective legislation and the Inquiry. That omission and the disrespect it highlights explains why the recidivism level is so high, and why privatisation is welcomed by a government wishing to distance itself from the social problems that prison represents” said Mr Collins.

“In a democracy only the state, if anyone, should totally control a citizen. For a multinational corporation or a party to have a prison, is to create slavery in breach of ILO conventions, and removes the incentive to reduce crime in the community. More crime means more profit” said Mr Collins.

To help inform the public, Justice Action will be part of the GPJA forum on Monday, May 4 at 7.30pm at Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland chaired by John Minto. The Minister of Corrections Judith Collins, Green Party MP Metiria Turei and Maori Party MP Hone Harawira had also been invited or asked to provide representatives.

Ends

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