Highlights from the Prison Fellowship Conference
We got so much out of this year's conference that we thought we would share some of our favourite presentations with you. Some of the highlights included:
- Judge David Carruthers on how halfway houses could improve recidivism rates in New Zealand
- Professor Alison Liebling on the moral performance of public and private prisons, and
- MP Chester Burrows on the fine line between victim and offender
The Long March: the Sallies, the Mob and the fight against P
In collaboration with the Mongrel Mob, the Salvation Army has designed the 'Hauora' treatment programme to help gang members and their families overcome their addictions to P. It is showing real signs of success. We bring you an update on the programme and with a little help from Dennis O'Reilly, call for more agencies to engage with gangs.
New Youth Justice Legislation: the most significant amendment since 1989
October's edition of "Court in the Act" looks at the changes to the Youth Justice Legislation. According to Principal Youth Court Judge Andrew Becroft, “these amendments are the most significant in the history of the Youth Court since its inception in 1989.” Although these amendments are "an opportunity for real progress", Judge Becroft highlights a number of issues that need to be properly thought through.
New Police Statistics released: Family Violence rates are up
and it's a good thing
October marked the release of the latest Police statistics, which showed a significant rise in the rate of Family Violence - from 48,389 recorded offences in 2008/2009 to 54,104 recorded offences in the 2009/10 fiscal year. Although an 11.8 per cent increase in family violence offences in the last year looks like bad news for New Zealand, it could actually be a positive result.
New NZ research: Not in My Backyard? Crime in the
Neighbourhood
Contrary to much political and media discourse, the results of a recent New Zealand study suggest that the New Zealand public does not regard crime and disorder as escalating or serious problems in local neighbourhoods.
New US research: Effect of Mental Health Courts on Arrests and Jail Days
A new multisite study from the US has found that those going through Mental Health Courts have better outcomes across five key public safety measures than matched offenders who don't.
New UK research: The Reality of Short Term Prison Sentences
The Howard League for Penal Reform and the Imperial College, London have released some preliminary findings from a large qualitative study into the views of Prison Governors on the use of short term sentences.
For full articles and more go here
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