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I thought Kim Workman's reflection on his time heading prisons in the DOJ in the early 90s is an important sign post for where Corrections currently sits. He raises really important concerns.
Transforming Waikeria - Hōkai Rangi or Hōkai Nuku? https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/433985/transforming-waikeria-hokai-rangi-or-hokai-nuku
Transforming Waikeria - Hōkai Rangi or Hōkai Nuku? https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/433985/transforming-waikeria-hokai-rangi-or-hokai-nuku
It is undisputed that prison is the breeding ground for criminals. People can go into prison with no gang affiliations & come out ready to patch. People can be apprenticed in prison & come out ready to move on for driving with out a license to a life of crime.
We know that there is violence in prisons. Workman talks of research showing how it links to increased violence on release.
What is prison for?
To pay your dues to society when a crime is committed & you're convicted.
Keep society safe.
Retribution to victims.
All valid.
What is prison for?
To pay your dues to society when a crime is committed & you're convicted.
Keep society safe.
Retribution to victims.
All valid.
Why do people end up in prison?
Obviously they've committed a crime & been convicted.
But why?
Stupidity.
Lack of control.
Drunk.
Violent.
Poverty.
Mental health.
Greed.
Jealousy.
Drugs.
Abandonment.
Lack of emotional development.
Easily lead.
Gangs.
Multiple reasons for sure.
Obviously they've committed a crime & been convicted.
But why?
Stupidity.
Lack of control.
Drunk.
Violent.
Poverty.
Mental health.
Greed.
Jealousy.
Drugs.
Abandonment.
Lack of emotional development.
Easily lead.
Gangs.
Multiple reasons for sure.
Some of these things society needs to fix long before the funnel to prison starts.
We know that everyone needs a home to live in. So we need to fix the housing crisis.
We know education & jobs are important. Give schools more to help struggling learners & kids with issues.
We know that everyone needs a home to live in. So we need to fix the housing crisis.
We know education & jobs are important. Give schools more to help struggling learners & kids with issues.
We know that physical & mental health is important. We need healthy housing to solve respiratory conditions, rheumatic fever & the like. Good food to prevent diabetes. We need strong mental health services that are nimble & timely - even more so for children & young adults.
We need solid support from early pregnancy for mothers & fathers to help them be good parents.
We need a social welfare system that enables dignity & allows people to participate fully in society.
As a country we need to permit all this to happen to stem the flow into prison.
We need a social welfare system that enables dignity & allows people to participate fully in society.
As a country we need to permit all this to happen to stem the flow into prison.
As a country we need to allow the current government to be radical enough to instigate all these things.
We need to attack these social problems like attacked Covid. Together. United.
We need to attack these social problems like attacked Covid. Together. United.
Here's a question: is it fruitful to society to have so many people sitting idle in cells for huge chunks of the day?
Couldn't we do a better job of turning lives around in prison?
We periodically hear about successful programmes, but so few get to participate.
Couldn't we do a better job of turning lives around in prison?
We periodically hear about successful programmes, but so few get to participate.
Every prisoner should be assessed for what is needed to be done during their time.
The govt talks about getting the 18-25s off the couch into work or study; so why not apply the same rhetoric to the majority of our prison population?
It creates more job opportunities for others.
The govt talks about getting the 18-25s off the couch into work or study; so why not apply the same rhetoric to the majority of our prison population?
It creates more job opportunities for others.
We know that those who go into employment on release are less likely to reoffend
A couple of years ago Andrew Little went on a trip to the Netherlands. He told me that he visited a prison where everyone was engaged in work or study. Our govt has a model to adapt.
A couple of years ago Andrew Little went on a trip to the Netherlands. He told me that he visited a prison where everyone was engaged in work or study. Our govt has a model to adapt.
Recidivism is a huge factor as to why our prisons are so full.
So why do they reoffend?
No job - work & study in prison can help reduce that.
Mental health issues - new govt initiatives are being implemented for that - what about after prison? Who follows up?
So why do they reoffend?
No job - work & study in prison can help reduce that.
Mental health issues - new govt initiatives are being implemented for that - what about after prison? Who follows up?
Family support - there are govt initiatives to help grow the family connectedness - here's hoping the model is successful and the rollout can increase. So many come from broken, dysfunctional families though - how do we fix that?
Housing is often a big issue. Former inmates can end up in transitional housing, can't get a rental, end up homeless at the worst of it. Ever noticed how the prison population increases in winter? Prison is warmer than street living, with three square meals. So address housing.
As a society we have the answers.
There's always going to be prisons. Some people can rot in there forever for the worst crimes - provided the conditions meet their human rights.
But many need to come out & contribute to society, their families & themselves.
Let's enable them.
There's always going to be prisons. Some people can rot in there forever for the worst crimes - provided the conditions meet their human rights.
But many need to come out & contribute to society, their families & themselves.
Let's enable them.
