Gang numbers rising in prisons

Gangsters make up an increasing portion of inmates behind bars and a former prisoner believes the trend will continue.

Department of Corrections data, released under the Official Information Act, shows the proportion of gang members inside New Zealand prisons has steadily increased over the past 10 years,

In 2008, there were 897 inmates or 11.4 per cent with gang connections out of a total prison population of 7868.

Fast forward to August 31 this year and 35.2 per cent of the 10,435-strong prison population were known to have gang links.

It’s unclear exactly what is causing the rise but Paora Raharaha, 25, believes it will continue.

He served a 31⁄2-year sentence for assault, burglary and driving in a dangerous manner. He went into jail as a patched Black Power member but upon his release in May 2016, he decided that it wasn’t the lifestyle he wanted anymore.

He now has his own business as a personal trainer in Paeroa.

‘‘Some people don’t have families so they join the gangs and I think people that want to be part of a group feel like they want to be with a gang.

‘‘I think [gang numbers in prison] will carry on increasing. They give men inside something to be a part of . . . I also think gangs look attractive to young guys.’’

But the available data still has gaps, Waikato University senior lecturer of psychology Armon Tamatea said.

He is studying gang recruitment in Kiwi prisons.

The reason behind people gravitating to gangs depends on an individual’s circumstances. ‘‘Lifestyle options, peer influence, family/whanau issues such as abuse, neglect and involvement with gang community, etcetera.’’