Jail rehab worse than nothing

Prisoners on rehabilitation programmes are more likely to reoffend than those who don't do them, the Corrections Department was forced to admit yesterday.

There was a particular problem with its first-stop programme for offenders called Straight Thinking, it conceded. The 70-hour course, which 1200 offenders went through in the last financial year, is defined as a motivational programme aimed at addressing the underlying causes of reoffending.

The department's last annual report shows community-based participants on that programme were 9 per cent more likely to be reconvicted and 4 per cent more likely to be reimprisoned than peers who weren't on it.

New Zealand First MP Ron Mark highlighted the figures at a select committee review of Corrections at Parliament yesterday, saying afterwards "clearly someone in Corrections isn't thinking straight".

He asked Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews to explain why 13 of the 20 evaluations of rehabilitative programmes found recidivism rates were higher for treatment groups than control groups.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but this shows an inmate is more likely to be reimprisoned or reconvicted if they have done the programme than if they haven't done the programme?" Mr Mark asked.

"Generally I agree with you," said Mr Matthews, appointed chief executive a year ago. Pressed again and asked "what the hell is going on" by Mr Mark, he responded "well, you could take that view and that's why we are looking at it".

Only two of the 13 negative figures were rated "statistically significant" by the department and there were issues about whether the treatment and control groups were being properly compared, he added.

"That's what we pay you to do," Mr Mark replied, noting that $45.7 million was spent on rehabilitative programmes last year. Mr Mark said it was general knowledge within Corrections that there were real problems with the programmes but the department had tried to hide it from the public.

Mr Matthews said there were departmental concerns and this had resulted in the recent establishment of an Intervention Services unit.

"We've accepted the delivery of services was not up to the required standard we would have liked and that's why it was set up."

He pointed out the figures showed special treatment units for sex offenders and those with drug and alcohol problems were reducing recidivism, with prison inmates on the latter 16 per cent less likely to be reconvicted - the most impressive figure.

But the report shows a range of other alcohol and drug programmes are interpreted by the department as having a negative effect.


The programme

* The Straight Thinking programme was established by National in 1999. The department's website defines it as "an intensive" programme that offenders attend before going on to other specific programmes.

* "Participants must show they are willing to work towards making positive changes in their life," it says.

* Corrections' website also says the programme has been reviewed and the findings were expected late last year. The department has promised to respond to the Herald today on the progress of the review.

* 120,000 hours of Straight Thinking programmes were budgeted for this financial year.