Work routine helps prisoners
MP for Taupo
If you’ve started to notice more cops patrolling South Waikato streets you’re not imagining things. Nationwide, from 2011 to 2012, the number of frontline police foot patrols has risen by 70 per cent. Here in the Bay of Plenty the number of patrols has increased 99.6 per cent.
The huge increase in foot patrols, neighbourhood policing teams, the Prevention First Strategy and the 600 extra frontline officers are all contributing to our falling crime rate – which is at a 30-year low.
National is committed to keeping Kiwis safe in their homes and communities. We have a target to reduce re-offending 25 per cent by 2017 – that’s 18,500 fewer victims of crime every year.
As well as more officers on the beat in Tokoroa, Putaruru, Tirau, Mangakino and around New Zealand, the Government is committed to increasing prisoner employment and skills training over the next five years as part of its programme to reduce re-offending.
Department of Corrections research shows re-offending rates fell by more than 8 per cent for prisoners who participated in prison-based employment activities and by more than 16 per cent for prisoners on the release to work programme.
Many prisoners have poor employment histories. More than half did not have a job when imprisoned and most do not have any formal qualifications.
As most prisoners are going to be released at some stage, we need to do everything we can to make sure they don’t reoffend when they get out. We want them to re-integrate into, and contribute to, their communities.
Working prisons will give more prisoners the opportunity to get work experience and gain qualifications.
Prisoners will have a structured 40-hour week of employment and rehabilitation. These prison changes will contribute to National’s priority to deliver better public services, as will our changes to police.
New Zealanders deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities. National is supporting this through a comprehensive programme to protect communities and prevent crime.
– Louise Upston