NCJ Number
169818
Date Published
1996
Length
113 pages
Annotation
Reasons for prison escapes in New Zealand were studied by means of a literature review, an analysis of official records, a survey of inmates who escaped between July 1994 and June 1995 and were recaptured by the end of July 1995, and a survey of correctional personnel in institutions where escapes occurred during 1994-1995.
Abstract
Results revealed that escape rates for both 1994 and 1995 were the lowest in the 50 years for which data are available. Nearly two-thirds of the escapes were from minimum-security prisons, 23 percent were from medium-security prisons, and two escapes occurred in one incident in a maximum-security institution. Ninety-four percent of the 117 escapees from 1993-1995 were male. Most were under age 23 and escaped alone. Most had been imprisoned for property crimes and were serving sentences averaging about 2.5 years, about double the average sentence of the entire inmate population. Most inmates who escaped reported that they left due to boredom with prison life, exposure to suicide and prison blues. In contrast, 99 percent of prison management staff interviewed regarded family or relationship problems as the escape triggers. The escapees reported that such external pressures were instrumental in triggering 17 of the 34 escapes. Findings also indicated that many escapes are largely spontaneous, poorly planned, and later regarded by escapees as a bad idea. Most are caught within 1 day of their escape. Findings suggested the need to include more information in the Department of Corrections Escapes Database, to include personal psychological factors such as boredom in ongoing inmate risk assessment, and to instruct inmates in problem-solving techniques to reduce escape impulses. Other actions recommended are to conduct interviews after recapture, and continue current legislation and sentencing practices. Tables, footnotes, appended instruments and background information, and 35 references