Letters to the editor: NZ's justice system is broken

Reduce reoffending and imprisonent rates, a reader says. Photo/file

Justice system is broken

Reading the article about our broken justice system (Nation, August 22) and listening to Andrew Little on television last week was disturbing.

How about taking action?

1. Inmates should work every day. They have to undergo training programmes, learning new skills in preparation for release. It's not a choice it's a must. They are not on holiday, they have to earn their money to pay for rent and food in prison, taking responsibility is the key.

2. Life inside prison needs to resemble life outside, as much as security considerations and resources allow. The more gradual the transformation from imprisonment to freedom, the better the chances to prevent re-offending.

3. The contact with community services should begin well before they are released. Let them be allowed to start jobs on the outside 12 months before leaving.

4. To have more relaxed drug laws, a focus on rehabilitation and a working electronic ankle monitor system should be in place.

Netherlands has a population of 17 million, NZ only 4.5 million. The Netherlands closed 19 prisons over the past years and NZ wants to build more prisons. Really?

Decrease the imprisonment rates and close prisons, we can use them as emergency housing and transform some facilities into workshops, childcare centre, rehab centre and a gym.

What we need is a constructive planning, which serves a new kind of justice, one based on collaboration, partnership, fairness and equity.

Steffi August
Mount Maunganui

Farewell to teacher, leader

With the resignation of Dane Robertson, principal of Kaimai School, the community of Kaimai lost a wonderful teacher, leader, and thoroughly special young man.

Having worked with Dane closely over the years he had a wider view of the relationship between school, home, community.

We need to celebrate our good teachers and leaders in our schools because they have so much influence on the positive development of our children.

Dane and I could always turn to each other to try to resolve the access issues on to SH29.

Along with neighbours, they made a difference and that was how we were able to get a safer turn into McLaren Falls Rd; slow down signals at the accessway to the school.

They need improvement again though. The upgrading of the school facilities he championed too.

I look forward to seeing his progress in the future, for the skills he has should be used now in the wider community of Tauranga. Sad to see him leave Kaimai, but wish he and his family all the very best.

Cr Margaret Murray-Benge
Bethlehem