Candidate’s Prison Survey
The Howard League undertook a snapshot ‘prison survey’ to establish
the views and knowledge of political candidates in the 2014 NZ
election.
Summary of Findings
The findings illustrate political candidates’ concerns about the current
state of imprisonment in New Zealand. Problematic issues identified
included: the overuse of remand; the tightening rules around parole;
poor access to education, work, skills training, rehabilitation
programmes or good health care in prison; and, limited supports for
those leaving prison.
Survey results also signal a real desire for change within the prison
system. Candidates thought that: health care should be moved away
from Correctional remit; more should be done to address the needs of
women, young people, Maori and Pasifika people in prison; Maori
over-representation should be stopped; prisoners should have access
to useful work programmes within prison; and, that relationships
between prisoners and their families need to be encouraged by prison
agencies. Candidates supported increased training of prison officers
and increased oversight of prisons. Candidates called for the
establishment of (i) a Commission of Inquiry’ to examine the interface
between Corrections and health regimes; and (ii) an Independent
Inspectorate of Prisons, to provide adequate monitoring.
Over three-quarters of respondents (77%) thought that New Zealand
could improve imprisonment practices by learning from authorities in
Finland, Norway and Sweden.
Candidates indicate significant concerns about the
current treatment of prisoners in New Zealand:
Most candidates indicated concern about the growth in numbers on
remand (81%) and the increasingly strict system of parole that
prisoners face (60%).
Very few candidates thought that prisoners had good access to
education programmes (15%) or work and skills training (11%).
No candidate thought that those leaving prison were provided with
enough support on release, and 87% stated that not enough was being
done to rehabilitate prisoners.
No candidate thought that current levels of health care for prisoners
suffering from depressive illness, anxiety disorders, suicide ideation
or personality disorders were adequate.
Candidates also established a real desire for change:
Candidates expressed a real desire for change in relation to health
issues; the needs of specific prisoners; prisoner activity; contact with
families; as well as oversight and monitoring.
Health provisions:
9% candidates thought that health services should be provided by
Corrections. 90% supported a new ‘Commission of Inquiry’ to examine
the interface between Corrections and health regimes in NZ.
Just one candidate thought that those with serious psychiatric illness
should be held in prisons, and 92% supported the increased
availability of forensic beds outside the prison environment.
Needs of specific prisoners:
No candidate thought that enough was being done to address the
needs of female prisoners or that girls should be held alongside
women in prison.
Most candidates (85%) also supported separate programmes for
Maori and Pasifika people in prison.
40 candidates had views about how Maori over-representation in
prisons could be addressed. Seven recommendations were repeatedly
emphasised:
- to address poverty and inequalities in New Zealand (63%)
- to eliminate institutional discrimination in the criminal justice
system (40%)
- to increase Maori access to high-quality education (38%)
- to address alcohol and drug problems (38%)
- to increase Maori access to work training and employment
(25%)
- to develop kaupapa Maori approaches to deal with offenders
(25%)
- to improve mental health treatment options (25%)
Prisoner activity:
The vast majority of candidates (77%) stated that prisoners should be
locked in their cells for a maximum of 8 hours a day. 85% of candidates
supported the extension of the ‘release to work’ scheme.
Contact with families:
Candidates thought that far more could be done to maintain
relationships between prisoners and their families. They indicated
that: children should have extended prison visits (85%), there should
be full ‘whanau’ days at the weekends for families (85%); families
should be assisted, if required, with visiting expenses (72%) and
overnight or conjugal visits by partners should be allowed (64%).
Oversight and staff training:
83% candidates stated that there should be an Independent
Inspectorate of Prisons in NZ. 90% of candidates thought that prison
officers should receive a minimum of 6-8 months training, and 81%
candidates supported training of 1-3 years.
About the Survey
The survey was electronically sent to political candidates in the 2014
election. 47 responses were received. Disappointingly, this included
just one return from a National candidate. The other main parties
(Labour, Green Party, NZ First, Maori Party and Internet Mana) were
all represented in the survey findings below. These responses were
the personal responses of candidates and not necessarily party policy
responses.
ENDS
Media contact: Madeleine Rose 027 2035565