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Experts say NZ jails too many people

Two British prison experts say they are astounded at the high rate of imprisonment in New Zealand and suggest alternatives should be considered.

Baroness Vivian Stern and Professor Andrew Coyle, both associated with the International Centre for Prison Studies at King's College, London, visited New Zealand last month.

Rethinking Crime and Punishment project leader Kim Workman said the couple argued that too many people were becoming criminalised when they could instead be treated outside prison for mental health issues, drug and alcohol problems, and minor but persistent anti-social behaviour.

Workman said at 197 per 100,000, New Zealand's incarceration rate was almost twice that of most western European countries and fast approaching that of Libya, Azerbaijan and Brazil.

France's rate was 90 per 100,000, Finland's 70 per 100,000 and Britain's 140, per 100,000.

Baroness Stern said New Zealand was a small country with a lot going for it.

In contrast, the International Crime and Victimisation Survey put New Zealand at the top of all 14 other western industrialised countries for providing support to victims of crime.

The visiting Brits argued that putting people in prison, especially minor offenders, actually increased the likelihood of further criminal activity after their release.

According to data relating to prisoners released from jails in New Zealand between March 2000 and March 2006, more than half were likely to commit at least one new crime within two years of their release.

Workman said an overall increase in the prison population of 15.6 per cent over the next seven years was predicted and the resulting cost was several hundred million US dollars.

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