Common accord to start to reduce prison numbers down in New Zealand- Day 1

Overseas prison experts, Justice and Correctional management, policy analysts from Government Departments and a considerable number of NGOs working in the criminal justice sector gathered at the “Breaking down the barriers to get prison numbers down” Conference at Silverstream ,Wellington, have affirmed that New Zealand is at an economic crossroads with its growing prison population and has to take action now to start making changes.

Mr Oyvind Alnes , a previous Governor at Balstoy Prison in Norway stated “It is possible to reduce the operating costs of prisons to one-third of the existing high level by operating human –ecological prisons where they grow their own food, recycle their rubbish, don’t use gasoline etc. Their focus in Norway, with the lowest prison population in the world, is that their prison “clients” are not 2nd class citizens they are serving sentences that will completely equip them to lead a normal life when they leave prison”.

Professor Alison Liebling, from the Prison Research Centre UK , told the conference participants that “There is strong consensus from our research that the things that really matter in terms of operating prisons are Safety, Dignity and Respect and that if the overall quality of life was improved for prisoners they are more likely to undergo reformation in their life as well as reduce the risk of suicide by prisoners.”

There has been intense debate and discussion about having a proper open public dialogue about crime and punishment and enrolling the media across New Zealand to start to live up to their key role of properly informing public opinion.

The Conference will endeavour to produce a mandate by tomorrow afternoon that seeks a common approach from both the Government and our communities to work together to get the prison numbers down.

ENDS

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