Corrections — should we correct Corrections or not? I leave it to the readers to decide.
In the 1980s the National Party did some very good work with Sir Doug Graham as the Minister of Justice. Having met with him many times, we were able to negotiate some positive things for people in prisons — such as books in the libraries on NZ histories, so the inmates could read about their country. They also had lessons for those inmates that couldn’t read. He also had some very good follow-ups with the secretary of justice David Oughton, followed by Mr Mell Smith. They worked hard on rehabilitation. There was also Moana Jackson’s report “Prisons in Change” released in 1988, which has not been implemented.
It is our suggestion that this be pulled out of the archives and read by all parties concerned in Parliament. It is not necessary to have boot camps — these have been trialled in the past and are not successful.
This report was completed by Moana and his groups, with interviews of clients in the prisons throughout New Zealand.
It is our belief that still today, those submissions should be looked at — then maybe we wouldn’t have the problems we have to such a large extent.
My suggestion to the current minister is to look at the programmes again, rather than boot camps, because many of these programmes were beneficial to the men and women in prison.
Programmes run included printing, gardening, sewing, carving, painting and carpentry.
I am very much aware that one inmate has needed counselling for more than 32 years because of misadministration within the Corrections department.
We can no longer sit back and watch Corrections going downhill. We need dedication of good management within the organisation again.
Pauline E. Tangiora
JP, QSO, QSM
