The Government’s prison reforms

Written By: - Date published: 10:24 am, August 20th, 2019 - 71 comments
Categories: Andrew Little, crime, Kelvin Davis, prisons, Social issues - Tags:

Kelvin Davis, Andrew Little and the Maori caucus in the Labour Party are showing their mettle by proposing reforms to the prison system that are radical and which will no doubt incense the lauranorda brigade.  

Let’s face it.  The current system is not working.  Our incarceration rates are high and the incarceration rate for Maori and Pacifica is appalling high.  Maori make up 52% of the total numbers behind bars which jarrs when you note that they make up only 15% of the general population.

The causes are complex.  Poverty particularly in the formative years and the effects of loss of Maori land and marginalisation of Maori culture are major contributors.  A recent report, He Waka Roimata, was brutal in its assessment, the causes are colonialism and racism.

Thomas Manch at Stuff had this report:

Grief and colonisation sit at the heart of a criminal justice system that must change, a Government report has found.

The report, He Waka Roimata or A Vessel of Tears, was released on Sunday and makes a case for transformation of a criminal justice system “clearly not working”.

“Some of what we heard was confronting; some has been more optimistic. Without doubt, the clearest call we heard is the call for change,” it says.

The report was produced by the Government-appointed Te Uepū pai i te Ora – Safe and Effective Justice Advisory Group after more than 220 public meetings nationwide. 

“Among these conversations the overwhelming emotion we encountered is one of grief” it reads.

And the Government has responded with the release of the Hōkai Rangi programme with the direct aim of reducing the incidence of Maori incarceration down to the proportion that Maori occupy of the population.  From Radio New Zealand:

An iwi leader has lauded a new strategy to reduce the Māori prison population as heroic and brave, but warns it won’t succeed if Corrections is left to do it alone.

After a decade without a Māori strategy, Corrections today launched Hōkai Rangi, which aims to eventually reduce the number of Māori in prison from 50 per cent to 16 per cent, proportional to the Māori population.

How the programme success will be measured has yet to be decided, but Corrections chief executive Christine Stevenson said she wanted to see a “decent drop” in the Māori prison population over the next five years.

Under the programme, prisoners will get more visits from whānau and prison staff provided extra training to ensure prisoners are treated with dignity.

Ngāti Kahungunu chairperson Ngahiwi Tomoana said it was “quite a heroic effort from the current minister” and the iwi would be supporting him all the way.

The statement and intent are brave.  In ten years time we will hopefully see a reversal of this most appalling of statistics.

 

71 comments on “The Government’s prison reforms ”

  1. michelle 1

    A good start but they also need to fix the justice system and all the other racist government depts then they need to find suitable housing and jobs for the prisoners otherwise it will be a waste of time rehabilitating them when they other areas like housing falls short.

    How many prisoners are still there because they cant find somewhere decent to live.

    All government dept need to be heavily audited to see what they haven't been delivering on especially for Maori cause I believe we will see what has and hasn't been happening more so the latter

  2. alwyn 2

    What is the Government proposing to do about the gross excess in the number of men being imprisoned compared to the number of female inmates?

    As of June 2019 there were 9252 males and 717 females in New Zealand prisons. Can we assume that Kelvin Davis will come out with a plan to correct what must surely be, at least in his eyes, an appalling injustice against men?

    Rather than rabbiting on about Maori being imprisoned being a racist act why doesn't Kelvin try and fix the reasons why most inmates end up on the path to jail? It isn't just because they are Maori. It is mostly, at least in my view, because of the failure of the education system. Most Prison inmates are, according to the head of the Howard League, illiterate. That is the thing to correct and it isn't just something that affects Maori.

    While he is about it of course he can also try and solve the prejudice against men in the criminal justice system.

    • Incognito 2.1

      What about …?

      Can we assume that you didn’t read the post?

      Can we assume that you don’t want the problem solved because it doesn’t address let alone solve all problems?

      Can we assume that your comment is disingenuous?

      • xanthe 2.1.1

        "can we assume"

        That incognito has no desire for any sort of meaningful dialogue?

        "can we assume"

        That incognito is just pushing a meme and simply wants to crush any inconvenient alternative view?

        "can we assume"

        That incognito is ignorant ?

        • Psycho Milt 2.1.1.1

          I'd say "No to all three," based on previous interactions. Does seem safe to assume Incognito has a low tolerance for Alwyn's tiresome what-aboutery, though.

          • Incognito 2.1.1.1.1

            Whataboutism is not conducive to sound debate and generally distracts for the topic of/under discussion. Often, it is a deliberate tactic. Indeed, it is tiresome.

        • greywarshark 2.1.1.2

          Rdit:
          Please don't be anti incognito xanthe. Unless you want to take on the job of moderation in his place, or be another in the group of mods, then spare a thought for his hard work that is invaluable. Yours not so much. Respect for the people who try and find balance on this site, as incognito does, would promote better discussion.

          We disagree quite often – when somebody doesn't display the required amount of concern demanded by another in particular. But there is more than one way of looking at a matter that is hotly contested and sometimes the best is to cool down.

          • xanthe 2.1.1.2.1

            can we then assume that "can we assume" …. some deliberate misinterpretation …….. to shout down or undermine anothers contribution is fine?

            in which case "can we assume that greypeaceminnow doesnt want to consider any solution other than a racist one ?

            • marty mars 2.1.1.2.1.1

              the racist one has the most influence (or so say the experts who know something) – wake up will you alwyn couldn't spin a straight yarn if it had a level attached – it is a basic 101 distraction from the racism point

            • greywarshark 2.1.1.2.1.2

              Xanthe you did put –

              "can we assume"

              That incognito is ignorant ?

              You attack commenters from a forceful, aggressive, critical, didactic and peremptory line. This isn't one intended to find common ground but to order others to think whatever you have decided. You don't appear to be able to reflect on your behaviour. It is not helpful if a discussion is wanted.

              Why don't you tell Alwyn what he should be thinking? He is just the same as you from a different direction. You could put on your gloves and have a hefty discussion with him, as equal sparring partners.

        • Incognito 2.1.1.3

          That incognito has no desire for any sort of meaningful dialogue?

          A meaningful dialogue is exactly what I desire and I know that Alwyn can contribute in a meaningful way if he puts his mind to it. IMHO, he hadn’t and he continued his lazy line of slightly facetious comments (https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-19-08-2019/#comment-1647791) on this important topic. Therefore, I challenged him and I’m glad to say that he engaged positively @ 2.1.2.1.

          That incognito is just pushing a meme and simply wants to crush any inconvenient alternative view?

          What meme might that be? Healthy debate is all about opposing views (vide supra).

          That incognito is ignorant ?

          About what specifically or do you mean in general? Your criticism is not constructive if it is unclear what you mean.

          • xanthe 2.1.1.3.1

            precisely my point incognito!

            "Can we assume?" used in that way is not dialogue and does not encourage dialogue.

            Desist!

            The proper usage of “Can we assume?” is in testing for common ground.

            ie.. Can we assume that finding common ground is a mutual goal here?

            • Incognito 2.1.1.3.1.1

              Yes, some common ground there, thank you.

              Please note that I wasn’t aiming or intending to enter the dialogue myself but to encourage another one to do so and with success 🙂

      • alwyn 2.1.2

        "Can we assume that".

        To the first of your assumptions – No

        To the first of your assumptions – No

        To the first of your assumptions – No

        But I suspect you already know that.

        • alwyn 2.1.2.1

          Actually I should expand on this. Here are a few links to stories from Mike Williams on what the Howard League were getting up to. At that time, Kelvin Davis seemed to accept the premise that it was a literacy, rather than racial problem that led to the inability of so many prisoners to cope in the outside world.

          As Mike says there were prisoners who could not get home detention with bracelets because they couldn't even fill in the forms. That sort of thing has nothing at all to do with many of them being Maori. The problem was that they couldn't read.

          At least the then National Government, and PM, seemed to be trying to solve it. Kelvin Davis screeching "racism" does no good at all.

          https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11827202

          https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/84820782/twothirds-of-prisoners-cant-do-everyday-literacy-tasks

          https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503459&objectid=12172514

          • Incognito 2.1.2.1.1

            Actually I should expand on this.

            Thank you.

            The problems are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they intersect. I agree that the use of labels can be confusing if not misleading.

        • Incognito 2.1.2.2

          What I know isn’t what you show. I like your comment @ 2.1.2.1 much better; it stimulates healthy debate on an important and sensitive topic IMO.

          • alwyn 2.1.2.2.1

            When I read your first remark I got a little p*d off because I remembered what someone had said to me about a week ago. Remember?

            https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-13-08-2019/#comment-1646356

            Then after I had put the comment in, and I didn't even get it right, as I meant to say "to the first" then "second" and then "third" I calmed down and expressed my view on what I think is causing the enormous concentration of Maori prisoners.

            It is not, in my view a question of racism but of the failings in the education system. If you call it racism and talk about having to have a "maori" justice system things aren't going to get any better. A person who is functionally illiterate simply cannot get by in the modern world and they will simply get involved in crime.

            When I was young that wasn't the case. Somebody could get a job, basically labouring to be sure, who had only a minimal grasp of literacy and numeracy. I worked, during the University holidays, with people like that in the wool stores. As long as you could read digits and a few words you could hold down a quite well paid, and useful job. I also don't remember any problems with getting a driver's license if your reading level was pretty low. I certainly don't remember any written exam when I got mine. Those jobs simply don't seem to exist any more, at least in more than trivial numbers.

            If people can't read or write they can't get work and they will simply end up in a life of petty crime, followed by steadily more serious crime. Then they will end up in prison, not because the system is racist but because they are simply not equipped to get by in today's society. Fix that, don't just claim it is racism.

            • McFlock 2.1.2.2.1.1

              Literacy is a factor, but isn't the end of it. Community issues are also factors, but not the end of it. Systemic bias is a factor, but not the end of it. Mental health and special needs are factors, but not the end of it. FASD is a factor, maybe even lead poisoning, but not the end of it.

              There are no magic bullets. Just lots of factors to work on.

            • Incognito 2.1.2.2.1.2

              I had honestly forgotten about that even though it was only (!) a week ago. Even your use of the A-word in your comment @ 2 upstream in this thread hadn’t triggered my memory 🙁

              What you are alluding to is a variant of what is known as degree inflation or inflation creep.

              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credentialism_and_educational_inflation

              With (our) society becoming more complex over time, the demands on the cognitive abilities of its citizens increase. It is questionable whether current education and the education system do prepare (us) well or even adequately for the future. I fear the answer is (becoming more) negative.

              I think there is an intrinsic bias in societies and education systems of former European colonies in favour of the West-European model for lack of a better word – I deliberately avoid the ethno-religious variants. Without passing moral judgement, it is critical to acknowledge this bias and move forward. If we don’t, it will hold us back with all the unintended consequences. How we do this is the big question but opinions are so polarised that I have never even attempted to voice mine.

      • Dukeofurl 2.1.3

        Everything about prisoners doesnt fit the population curve.

        They are massively disproportionately male

        They are disproportionately younger especially in the 20-35 age group

        They are over represented in the low literacy groups.

        oh and the other group which is disproportionate:

        "35.2 per cent of the 10,435-strong prison population were known to have gang connections.

        No surprise there, involvement with criminal groups means time in prison. And its increasing.

        https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/107757372/gang-numbers-increasing-in-new-zealand-prisons

    • Michelle Gray 2.2

      Alwyn the system and our country was founded on racism racist laws racist policies and policy for one people not two people you need to accept this and move on unless you have walked in our shoes you have no idea with it is like

  3. Puckish Rogue 3

    I hope it works, I really do but without more emphasis on job training (or opportunities for job training) then a lot of these people will be back on the streets without having any real, tangible skills for finding work which will make it easier for them to slide back into the lifestyle they were living before

    Some ideas of the top of my head:

    Every prison should cook its own meals, grow its own food, have an engineering workshop, a garage, laundry and sewing facilities, building and repairing houses etc etc

    Have a proper, prisoner-worked farm, learn pest control, fencing, scrub cutting, drenching, shearing, milking etc etc

    Hell the engineering workshops could be focused on producing predator traps, in greater numbers then they are now

    It used to be the way, to give prisoners work to keep them busy and something they can take to employers on the outside

    But it'd take a lot of money so probably won't happen

    • Dv 3.1

      It already costs a lot of money to keep them locked up

      if that plan helps keep from reoffending, then that is saving too.

      i agree with PR TWICE in 2days!,,,,

      • Puckish Rogue 3.1.1

        100 – 150 grand a year locked vs paying taxes…

        • Ankerrawshark) 3.1.1.1

          Good to hear your view Pr as you work with these guys.

          my tuppence worth, genetic component activated by environment ie child abuse. That was from the Dunedin study.

          High rates of head injuries in the prison population. Mental illness and substance abuse. I can’t see how prison could possibly do most people any good, odd exceptionlike the guy who published a good recently. Education very important and also developing skills and helping people when they are released.

          i tend to be an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Not sure what the answers are there, but there will likely be stuff that has worked.

          • Puckish Rogue 3.1.1.1.1

            I don't know how accurate it is as its only hearsay but I have heard that Hillmorton don't take as many prisoners with mental health issues as they could because its cheaper to keep them in prison so a number of the prisoners are judged to have behaviour problems not mental health issues

    • Robert Guyton 3.2

      Especially grow their own food; not only will that connect inmates with that most important natural process, it will also improve their health and their sense of purpose and it will empower them for the time they get out and find they still need to eat. There's a world of learning in the garden and it's the perfect place to reflect upon life smiley

      • Puckish Rogue 3.2.1

        Its all good, I'd still have the deliveries but the produce grown can be donated to womens refuge, salvation army etc etc

        • Peter Christchurh nz 3.2.1.1

          At Rolleston Prison Christchurch, food is grown (at least it was 10 years ago so assume still is).

          It was a good thing, with the Kia Marama unit (sex offenders) growing potatoes, strawberries and also having honey hives. The Rimu(?) Unit also worked on the piggery, although doubt they ever saw any bacon! Any food tended to get stolen by the prison officers.

          All provides a sense of purpose and structure, along with some good skills. The real.problem, in my opinion, is not the prisons, but the destructive idiots in the Parole Service, who pretty much ensure that no rehabilitation is even remotely possible upon release.

          • Puckish Rogue 3.2.1.1.1

            Still is but its on a much, as I understand it, smaller scale. Freedom Farms buys up most, if not all, of the pigs raised and every time I drive past the pigs they seem happy…or at least they're outside with individual shelters

    • WeTheBleeple 3.3

      Absolutely PR, you've shown several times you've given all this a great deal of thought. Also like your ideas concerning reinstating a forensic psychiatric ward.

      The idea of prisoners growing their own food etc has a lot of merit. These are transferable skills to the real world. A good polyculture farm would have forestry, medicines, honey, stock, gardens, food forest… The prisoners would have many things to learn, better food to help their rehabilitation (facing your demons is hard work), better pride in their efforts, and most of all, a way forward.

      And yes, some manufacturing would be a great move. Your suggestion of predator traps is top notch it lends pride via prisoners playing a part in the country's healing.

      • Peter Christchurh nz 3.3.1

        A lot of that already exists at the Rolleston/Christchurch Prison complex. Forestry, piggery (largest in SI), engineering, farm (sheep), plus the painting, maintenance and gardening gangs. Also a complex that renovates houses, which involves carpentry, plumbing, electrical work.

        One of the problems is that many prisoners do not want to work (they cannot be compelled to) and for some their security classification prevents it.

        • WeTheBleeple 3.3.1.1

          So Rolleston has much other prisons could learn from aye. I believe Waikeria has some eel (and other) farming going on too. Shame the prisoners can't be compelled to work. Then just put them on toilet duties till they get over themselves and decide farm life aint so bad 😀

          Could make it so new guys get the crappiest jobs and progress via behaviour into better positions. Or not…

          • Peter Christchurh nz 3.3.1.1.1

            They do use incentives though, like pay ($20 -$25 per week which is a lot for long laggers or those without family support). Also, prisoners will get perks, like a boil up, or coffee or Milo and so on, which again means a lot to those with little!

            As much as I despise Judith Collins, one thing she did good was the housing renovation scheme at Rolleston.

            Most prisoners, away from alcohol or strong drugs, are ready to learn and change, just wish more means was provided for them to achieve that. An opportunity missed.

        • Puckish Rogue 3.3.1.2

          You're right its just that I'd like to see the programmes expanded, I mean Shane Jones wants some trees planted and we've got some guys (not all) that probably wouldn't mind planting some, maybe have to learn to clear scrub first, learn maintenance of equipment which would lead to quals in areas where they could then find employment

          But yes a lot don't and that's where the real issues lay, how do you make someone want to work when they don't want to

          • marty mars 3.3.1.2.1

            treat them with respect – that is your starting point

            • Puckish Rogue 3.3.1.2.1.2

              You have no idea of what you're talking about. I have never seen an officer talk to a prisoner worse than prisoners routinely talk to officers so the first thing that needs to happen is for the ignorant people out there (yes that includes you) to stop encouraging the notion that officers are just mean bullies who treat prisoners badly

              It would be nice if, as part of the program, prisoners were encouraged to treat officers with the same respect as being demanded for prisoners

              • marty mars

                Not me saying it – but I'm sure your 6 months in the job qualifies you to know something that the experts who have studied this for years don't – perhaps write a guest post with your views so we can read all about it.

                • Puckish Rogue

                  Yeah sure just parroting what the experts say and its just a coincidence it just happens to allow you perpetuate the bullshit that officers are mean, nasty, bullies

                  Because of course thats why so many prisoners re-offend isn't it, the guards don't give the prisoners enough respect

                  Sure its got nothing to do with:

                  the mother (foetal alcohol syndrome anyone?)

                  the wider family (if there even is a father)

                  the education system failing to educate or diagnose any learning difficulties

                  the mental health system (yeah you) not treating patients correctly (yeah electro shock treatment to the genitals was a good idea wasn't it, plenty of experts all agreed on it and I bet you had a great time applying it)

                  the justice system (yep they have nothing to do with people being sent to prison)

                  CYPS how many errors did they make, how many years were these people known to them

                  the police

                  the politicians

                  Nope its Corrections Officers not being respectful enough of the prisoners thats the real issue

                  • marty mars

                    I never said that – sounds like you've got a chip on your shoulder, by the evidence of that rant anyway, or maybe you are just new and don't really get it yet – In my experience it takes a lot longer than 6 months to learn about a new job especially one as difficult and challenging as a prison guard.

                    The experts are experts for a reason and they seem to have come from a view of reducing recidivism for Māori and other inmates, which I would of thought was a good thing.

                  • Rosemary McDonald

                    Did you, PR ,post this…?

                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB037gVIpJc

                    A great watch, and truly a model to aspire to.

                    What really struck me was how long they train the staff for…two years at college level! (Around 5.5mins on the video) I've long harboured the opinion that the police training is pathetically superficial and ill prepares personnel for such an important job. At least two years for them as well.

                    FWIW Puckish Rogue, I respect the fact that you give your work much depth of thought, and you clearly consider the wider needs of your charges. I see you thriving professionally in a more humane and rehabilitative prison system. yes

                  • marty mars

                    more EVIDENCE to help your learning

                    The Chief Ombudsman, Peter Boshier, said the prison's relationship with iwi was fragile and the lack of cultural support for the Māori inmates was disturbing.

                    "When my inspectors went to the prison and endeavoured to engage in a way which was Tikanga Māori, there was no enthusiasm for a Māori angle to the way in which consultation should occur, no te reo Māori was spoken."

                    This week the government announced Hōkai Rangi – a strategy to cut the number of Māori prisoners, and uphold their mana while inside.

                    Julia Whaipooti from the Justice Advisory Group said the Ombudsman's report revealed the extent of the culture shift required at prisons like Ngawha for Hōkai Rangi to be successful.

                    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/397135/ngapuhi-elder-shocked-by-conditions-at-ngawha-prison

                    • marty mars

                      sadly gnat and judith collins supporters like puckwit who work in corrections ARE the main problem in implementing. After months they know it all, they have made their judgments, the prisoners are dumb, or lazy, or bad. While these people are in corrections what hope for Māori who could have other options? Fuck all because their jailers are too venal and nasty to try and change instead they belittle the hope and attempts to change. But don't worry when the next disaster for the victims happen they'll be all weepy and upset saying, "oh why didn't someone do something?" What hope for Māori in prison with that? Little, very little indeed.

          • AB 3.3.1.2.2

            A Green New Deal – something that provides/guarantees satisfying, interesting and decently-paid work and training to at risk young people before they start offending, rather than after they are already severely damaged.

            Much respect to you PR for caring.

  4. Koff 4

    Read Liz Gordon's post in The Daily Blog on an open women's prison in Yorkshire compared to the equivalent in Christchurch. There is no easy comparison as Maori incarceration is part of a systemic problem that cannot be solved just by changing the way prisons work, but it suggests that things don't have to stay the way they are.

    https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2019/08/20/dr-liz-gordon-opening-up-our-prisons/

  5. Gosman 5

    I am quite happy with this. I hope it will make a difference.

  6. Stuart Munro. 6

    It's promising, and it's overdue because of course the Right have proven incapable of formulating long term plans. But it won't happen overnight, and likely there will be some issues early on.

    I think it's safe to anticipate the Gnats will attempt to politicize it as being 'soft on crime', a curious position given that epic rorters like Brownlee and Key remain at large.

    • greywarshark 6.1

      But they always claim they didn't know about whatever wrong was under way, which for the rest of us is no excuse. How does it go – 'Ignorance of the law can not be pleaded as an excuse'.

    • alwyn 6.2

      Before you have a go at National can I suggest that you have a look at this article. You will find that National were trying to promote the ideas of former Labour Party President, and Howard League CEO, Mike Williams. I suggest that Bill English was making rather better use of his time than would have been the case if he had visited another kindergarten class?

      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11827202

      • Dukeofurl 6.2.1

        I think it was Tolley a few years back who changed Nationals direction on this not English, he was just being 'photo op/part time PM' for this event

      • Stuart Munro. 6.2.2

        The more time Gnat MPs spend in prison, the better for everybody else, and if vulnerable children were spared the encounter so much the better. If Bill had organized and funded it that would be one thing, but if he was just there for the photo-op that would be consistent with his style of government.

  7. marty mars 7

    What does treating people with respect mean?

    Not like this – thank you for this report

    The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has released a report highly-critical of conditions at Northland's Ngawha Prison.

    …He found the Northland Regional Corrections Facility had changed focus.

    High security prisoners were transferred out of the prison in 2013, and it now housed prisoners with lower security classifications.

    Almost a quarter of the prison population with those on remand awaiting trial, Mr Boshier said.

    "Yet many of the processes and practices were more suited to a high-security setting and were impeding achievement of the prison's vision to develop a Kaupapa Māori, based culture to support tāne to take their proper place in the community."

    …One example was an instruction that cell doors were locked while prisoners were exercising in the compound to reduce prisoner-on-prisoner assaults.

    "My inspectors found that prisoners were resorting to urinating and, on occasion, defecating in the compound because of a lack of toilet facilities.

    "This is pretty uncivilised in modern New Zealand," he told Checkpoint.

    Inspectors were advised by staff of a restriction on access to drinking water in the yard – prisoners were not allowed to take water bottles or drinks containers there and instead to use the drinking fountain, which was integrated into the yard's lavatory.

    The prison director was unaware of the situation and immediately revoked the restriction, Mr Boshier said.

    "Restricting prisoners' access to toilets and water is unacceptable and current mitigations were inadequate. I consider this to be degrading treatment and a breach of Article 16 of the Convention against Torture."

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/397109/northland-s-ngawha-prison-taken-to-task-by-chief-ombudsman-over-conditions

    • Sabine 7.1

      “Under the programme, prisoners will get more visits from whānau and prison staff provided extra training to ensure prisoners are treated with dignity.

      Ngāti Kahungunu chairperson Ngahiwi Tomoana said it was “quite a heroic effort from the current minister” and the iwi would be supporting him all the way.”

      I applaud the extra visitors time from whanau and i hope that whanau actually has the means to travel tot he prisons in order to visit their incarcerated relatives.

      But this "extra training to ensure prisoners are treated with dignity'? so they are saying that staff is currently treaing prisioners without dignity? are these staff being fired? No they get extra 'retraining"?

      And someone then considers this to be 'heroic"?

      good grief.

      Yet no one seems to discuss the fact that maori get incarcerated at larger numbers, often with more prison time then white offenders and with less 'home D' time then white offenders?

      File this under 'kinder and gentler bullshit' with absolutly no change being made as to why maori are in prison in the high numbers that are.

      • marty mars 7.1.1

        Lots and lots of people are working on the inherent racism of how and why Māori are treated the way they are – they just don't bother talking about it here – and why would they.

        Sure you file it wherever you like and some of us will get on with trying to change things for the better anyway.

        • Sabine 7.1.1.1

          i do file it there as that is where it belongs.

          I do hope however that the retrained staff does not forget its training again in the future when we again will have a less kind and less gentle government.

          When it comes to police and corrections i am highly cynical for my own reasons. And as i said elsewhere locking people up is the failure of all of society not just a few. I have nothing but respect for those who try to keep people out of prison in the first place, and for those that genuinly try to better the system.

          But staff that can't treat people with dignity and respect as part of their job duties don't need re-training, they need firing. What you have posted there is not an issue of staff needing training, that is an issue of staff being abusive.

  8. greywarshark 8

    Edit
    Ngawha prison in Northland was being discussed on Radionz this morning. It makes me so sad to hear what has been done there. Local Maori allowed it to be built after some doubt, because they considered that good things could arise from their interaction with the inmates. Practically all the promises and plans made have not been implemented.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/397135/ngapuhi-elder-shocked-by-conditions-at-ngawha-prison

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018709541/ngawha-prison-conditions-degrading-ombudsman

    Those of us who care about NZ being fair and respecting all people, and maintaining standards of safety and proper levels of good conditions that are appropriate, need to take note of what our Chief Ombudsman has found. And thank you to him for his hard work and his honest report – The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier.

    The question now is who was responsible to see that the Maori initiative promised was implemented as desired by Maori, and to encourage habilitation and less recidivism? Has that official and the overseeing MP. suffered some correction themselves? A sacking, a drop in wages and position, and a replacement with someone else who would do a proper job? Has the whole plan just been sidelined and the matter come down to finding a business to run the prison with low cost as its main goal? Has this fallen to the dreaded contracting out syndrome?

    Get your asses into gear government now we have a left-wing one, and repair the foul mess that RW politics have got us into. And make sure that you monitor everything that happens and measure its success, so you can’t be accused of being airy- fairy dreamers pouring money into useless, wasteful projects. Practical, intelligent and kindly systems, pilots, and projects needed please.

    What business or organisation now runs the prison that locks prisoners into their exercise yard? And that is, away from toilets so they have to wee and poo in the yard, and away from water which is only available from the toilet block. There was reference to it being on a medieval level, and it sure sounds like it.

    This is bloody disgusting and another example of the shabby standards we have ended up with since the advent of neolib economics with small government, which actually means inadequately hu-manned and funded. The old government is virtually dead and the free market is just a bunch of vultures invited in to pick its bones. Anyone paying attention to this and not disgusted by what has happened to our country, is neglectful at their core, of proper respect for our NZ polity and citizenship.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/397109/northland-s-ngawha-prison-taken-to-task-by-chief-ombudsman-over-conditions

    24/7/2019 https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/395147/report-says-maori-cannot-wait-any-longer-for-prison-reform

  9. Tiger Mountain 9

    Great initiative from Kelvin and others.

    Pākehā mate of mine once spent two years in Mt Eden, and he was never busier, because, he was literate! Form filling, reading documents and letters, teaching what he could, made him in demand.

    South African and Pom screws are still a worry, but hopefully this Govt.will get a second term and bring Prison reform to fruition.

  10. JO 10

    Replying to Koff #4, 11.18am yesterday – thanks for putting up Dr Liz Gordon's post about prisons. Here's a link to the prison she visited in Yorkshire, quoting the prison governor Diane Pellew.

    With enough political courage there's no reason why we can't do something similar here, in spite of a legion of hooting talkbackers repeating the first sentence in the quote without thinking about the last one.

    https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10242492.a-look-inside-askham-grange-womens-prison/

    ‘But why should these women – who are, after all, convicted criminals – be given opportunities that many who have never broken the law don’t have?

    “Everybody makes mistakes,” Ms Pellew says. “Some people make bigger mistakes than others. A lot of the people in here are victims themselves – they may have been victims of abuse in the past.

    “It is about giving opportunities, about breaking the chain. If we don’t stop it now, it will go down to future generations.

    “If we can make them into decent citizens, everybody benefits.”’

  11. Siobhan 11

    These reforms are something for sure. They may even lose us the dubious distinction of having the seventh-highest incarceration rate in the OECD, just below Mexico. But thats still a long way from becoming ‘progressive’.

    “If your parent is in prison, your chances of going there increase tenfold,” says John Sinclair of the Howard League for Penal Reform. “The people who will go into prison in 10 years are currently with CYFS [now Oranga Tamariki]. They’re kids in school who aren’t learning to read, or who have hearing problems. It’s not hard to find these people. All the social problems we’re not fixing are feeding the prison population.”

    Lawyer and Māori Legal Service director Moana Jackson has interviewed hundreds of former prisoners. “More than 80% were taken from their whānau and placed in care,” he says.

    The path to prison starts before a person starts school….a functional adequately funded Oranga Tamariki, Affordable long term housing, decent functional childcare, comprehensive mental/physical health care for all families..

    A massive increase in Government spending is required..however I guess none of these goals would be considered 'fiscally responsible'..

    https://www.noted.co.nz/currently/currently-social-issues/the-case-for-closing-prisons

  12. finbar 12

    Aside capitalism its ruin exploit,crime why,what shelf book find a cure,imprisonment for all if not most is not needed,what law crime theft against propert the major crime judge lawes rule book,capitalist.,punishment,eh judge what your thought about the sentences for these property crimes,the most still jail for.

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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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