$1 billion more for justice system

3.00pm - By KEVIN NORQUAY

More than $1 billion was today allocated in the Budget to catching, trying, locking up, rehabilitating and paroling criminals over the next four years.

Much of that is focused on the locking up part of the equation, with more than $200 million headed for the Corrections Department.

Construction of four "urgently needed" prisons would cost $180 million over the next three years, Corrections Minister Paul Swain said.

The estimated capital cost of the new facilities was $610 million, with the $180 million in today's budget on top of $225 million already allocated.

Forecasts of inmate numbers predicted a significant increase due to tougher and longer sentences, Mr Swain said.

"We must respond to this," he said.

"The new prisons will add around 1500 beds to our capacity, and are expected to be completed between 2005 and 2008."

Corrections was also given a baseline funding boost of $30 million for 2004-2005, rising to $40 million a year from 2006-2007.

"This funding will target areas such as staff training, property maintenance and prison health services," Mr Swain said.

New Zealand Prisoners' Aid and Rehabilitation Society and organisations doing related work were allocated an additional $450,000 per year.

The budget provided for three more prison drug detection dog teams, taking the total to eight.

An extra $1.1 million in operating funding had been provided for support services provided to the New Zealand Parole Board by Corections.

The board had seen its hearings increase from 5500 a year to 8000, Mr Swain said.

Justice Minister Phil Goff blamed the National-led government voted out in 1999 for the extent of the expenditure, saying it had let the justice system run down over a decade.

Budget 2004 provided an additional $596 million for new initiatives and infrastructural projects, he said.

The $1 billion figure included $404 million to cover decisions taken since last year's budget, he said.

Spending was part of moves to restore strong public services by addressing operational and capital spending shortfalls in the justice sector, he said.

Some of initiatives covered by the additional $596 million had already been announced.

Unannounced spending of $34.3 million over four years on extra fines collection staff and resources was expected to be a bonus for taxpayers, Mr Goff said.

"This is expected to net the taxpayer an additional $94.5 million in fine payments," he said.

Other moves, already announced, included $70.2 million over four years for police to strengthen national security and crack down on organised crime and methamphetamine producers.

An additional $73.4 million had been allocated for the Courts Department to tackle delays and improve facilities.

- NZPA