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Archived Press Releases 2008 4th September 2008

TENT CITY PRISON FOR HAWKE’S BAY?

(4th September 2008)

The Sensible Sentencing Trust say thousands of dollars of tax-payers money could be saved by housing prisoners in tents within the prison confines.

Following an outbreak of black mould in the roof of Hawkes Bay prison 100 inmates needed to be transferred to other prisons – costing thousands of dollars.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust say it was an ideal opportunity for the Corrections Department to have trialed the Tent prisons used extensively in Arizona – thus saving taxpayer dollars.

Trust Spokesman Garth McVicar said after visiting Arizona last year he is convinced the concept has merit in New Zealand .

"Not only is it cheaper – a prison to handle 600 inmates cost $110,000 compared to our equivalent of $52 Million – but we believe it would be effective in reducing the number of criminals who are simply recycled through our current prison system."

Mr McVicar said New Zealand ’s current re-offending rate of 76 percent was shameful. "One thing we do know is that the current prison system is an absolute failure, so we need to try something totally different."

"An added advantage was that there are no cell phones or drugs in the Arizona tent prisons."

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.