Corrections, Department—Public Safety

Mallard Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this

Does he agree with police officer X, who was interviewed on Radio Live this morning, and said: “I certainly don’t think the answer is to say that jails are overcrowded, let’s let them all back into the community. I mean, they’re there for a reason. They’re there because we need to be kept free from them and safe from them.”; and is it just possible that officer X, with over 20 years’ experience, has a better idea of who is and who is not a risk to society than the Minister with his catch-and-release policy?

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I think it probably relates to Standing Order 377(2)(b), but that is from memory. There was certainly an ironic expression within that question. We have been asked to be strict about those things, and clearly that question was out of order. The bit at the end was absolutely unnecessary for the sense of the question.

I ask members just to try to restrain themselves from the little ironic twists that they put in questions and answers.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. We find ourselves in a difficult position, because—

Yes, you do. And so do I.

Last week that phrase was not ruled out of order in any way, shape, or form, and the way members on the Opposition side of the House ask questions should not be interpreted in the same light in which that Minister’s reputation has grown with his little abusive remarks at the end of his statements.

Mallard Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this

Well, that last remark was unnecessary! But the member has a point, which is that if I as Speaker enforce those rules strictly, we will not really have much of a question and answer time. So some common sense has to be observed. But it was a timely reminder of those rules—as, in fact, we have had from the other side of the House before.

Point of order.

Mallard Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this

I am sorry; I have ruled on the point of order. Is this a different point of order?

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. During your intervention before Simon Power’s latest point of order, Simon Power interjected while you were speaking. I ask that the same rules apply to him as are applied to Dr Brash. You were ruling on the previous point of order, and Simon Power interjected.

I thank the member, but I as Speaker also interrupted the member. So we will call that a draw.

Martin Gallagher Link to this

I do not know officer X, so I am not possibly able to comment on his competency to make a judgment.

Can the Minister confirm that the number of escapes from prisons has dropped since Labour came to power in 1999?

Order, please. We want to hear the answer.

Turia Tariana Turia Link to this

Yes, indeed. In 1997-98 there were about seven break-out escapes per 1,000 prisoners; in 2004-05 the figure was about 1.5 per 1,000 prisoners—a considerable drop.

When will the recommendations from the report of the Office of the Ombudsmen regarding detention and treatment of prisoners be implemented, particularly those urgent recommendations relating to the need for humane conditions that meet international human rights standards?

I have every confidence we are meeting those standards right now, and we are working on recommendations from that report to improve the rehabilitation of prisoners and their reintegration into the community.

How can the Minister reconcile his statement that “people who are spending less than 6 months in jail—that is, almost 30 percent of inmates—are people who are no risk to society”, with the purpose of the corrections system to improve public safety, when a quick trawl through the media shows that those inmates include people who habitually drink-drive, who defraud vulnerable people who are in their care, who sexually assault other human beings, and who thumb their noses at already-existing non-incarceration alternatives?

Tanczos Nandor Tanczos Link to this

Any offenders who pose any threat to society will not be allowed out into society or to be part of any new programme. I quote from a statement: “Non-violent first-time prisoners may get a small concession for good behaviour and rehabilitation. We would retain the option of home detention for non-violent offenders.” That statement was made by Don Brash, the current Leader of the Opposition, in July 2004.

Has the Minister read the 1989 ministerial review of the prison system, known as the Roper report; if he has, which of its excellent recommendations does he intend to implement?

I have read much since becoming Minister. I have not read the Roper report, but I understand there are many wise recommendations in it, and they will be part of the consideration that is currently taking place.

Who is right: the Minister with his decision to let out 30 percent of the prison population because they are no risk to society, or the previous Minister of Corrections, Paul Swain, who said in March 2005: “Inmate numbers are increasing because this Government has got tough on crime following the 1999 law and order referendum.”?

We are both right.

Will the Minister just confirm that his policy is all about saving money, and not about victims’ rights, rehabilitating offenders, or public safety?