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Archived Press Releases 2007 31st July 2007

STICK AND CARROT IN PRISONS APPLAUDED

(31st July 2007)

The Sensible Sentencing Trust has congratulated the Minister of Corrections for introducing a bit of stick and carrot into Corrections policy, saying that putting the responsibility back on the inmate makes a lot of sense.

Corrections Minister Damien O’Connor today announced the implementation of a new prison system that would put the responsibility for prison treatment and placement back onto individual inmates.

Trust spokesman Garth McVicar said the new initiatives were not before time, "It puts the onus back where it belongs, most of those in jail do not know the meaning of the word “responsibility”. Iif they misbehave they will be penalized but if they obey the rules they will be offered opportunities that will prepare them for eventual release.”

“It's up to them, do they want the carrot – or the stick – the choice is up to the individual.”

“The Minister has copped a lot of flack, but this is a tough job and he deserves credit for implementing this program which should make prison management easier, and hopefully, society a little safer.”

At its harshest, the most difficult prisoners will spend 23 hours a day locked in a cell, they will continue to receive basic human rights and fair and humane treatment, but the system will be underpinned by rigorous checks and balances.

Mr McVicar who went on a fact-finding mission with the Minister last year said the “stick and carrot” approach seemed to be having a positive outcome in some of the prisons they visited. “There is much to be done but this is a positive step.”

The Sensible Sentencing Trust is taking a delegation to Arizona and Los Angles in August to look at other alternatives and initiatives that may offer further solutions to New Zealand’s escalating violent crime and prison population problems.

“Our trip is privately funded but we are hoping that what we learn can potentially save the taxpayer millions of dollars – the status quo is not working and we can not afford to close our minds to anything.”

“Our research will cover looking at drug and alcohol programs, first time offenders and hard-core career criminals, we will also look at various victim programs and the way prisons are run and potential cost savings initiatives that could be implemented here.”

A Campbell Live production crew and a TV documentary team will accompany the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

Mr McVicar said news of the Trust's trip had attracted phenomenal and very positive public response; this is a major undertaking for a voluntary Trust like ours and is putting considerable financial burden on individuals who were paying their own way. “We would like to thank the public for their support."

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.