The problem with prisons

Our “lock ’em up” approach to criminal offending is creating more problems than it solves, according to the author of a new book on New Zealand’s justice system.

By David Lomas In Commentary

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30th July, 2011

In Auckland District Court on a Friday morning, judges in some of the 16 courtrooms are handing down custodial penalties that will cost New Zealand taxpayers about $1.1 million. Seven men are sentenced to a total of 12 years’ imprisonment. Their crimes: recidivist drink-driving, recidivist burglary and assault. The offending by four of the men, according to submissions by counsel, is directly related to drug and alcohol problems. The chance that either drugs or alcohol were also involved in the offending of the other three men is high, although their lawyers made no reference ...

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