Prison population bubbles back over 10,000

The prison population has once again surpassed the 10,000 mark.

The Opposition says the numbers are now trending towards the Ministry of Justice forecasts of an increase by 4100 over a decade.

The prison muster peaked at 10,820 in March 2018 but by October 2018, it dipped below 10,000 for the first time in more than two years. However, on Wednesday, the population climbed to 10,060.

Figures from Corrections show the monthly numbers have been creeping up, with 10,054 inmates housed in March, 10,015 in February and 9983 in January.

In October, Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis said the immediate crisis had been averted and he hoped to work towards decommissioning double-bunking.

On Wednesday, he said the Government inherited a prison network under immense pressure. ‘‘We know we still have a long way to go before we reach our Government’s long-term goal to reduce our prison population

by 30 per cent over the next 15 years, but we’ve made a good start.

‘‘Before now, the prison population had been increasing ahead of forecast for a number of years but we are now tracking below the forecast – for the first time in a very long time – by nearly 1500 people.’’

National’s Corrections spokesman, David Bennett, said Davis had tried to reduce the population through parole initiatives.

Historically there had been a high percentage of reoffending.

‘‘That really shows the effective prison population [those in prison and those out on community sentencing] is very high.’’ The current 10,060 was ‘‘not too far off’’ estimates, he said.

In November 2017, Ministry of Justice projections showed that the prison population was expected to rise from 10,300 in June 2017 to 14,400 in June 2027.

Corrections deputy national commissioner Andy Milne said the department was working to support the Government’s commitment to safely reduce the prison population by 30 per cent by 2032.

‘‘The prison population follows certain annual trends, and at present we believe it is tracking as we would expect for this time of year . . . ’’ Milne said.