History and Development of Modern Correctional Practices in New Zealand (From Comparative Criminal Justice: Traditional and Nontraditional Systems of Law and Control, P 453-478, 1996, Charles B Fields and Richter H Moore, Jr, eds. -- See NCJ-161138)

• NCJ Number: 161163
• Author(s): G Newbold; C W Eskridge
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 26 pages
• Sale Source: Waveland Press, Inc.
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Following an overview of the history of corrections in New Zealand, this paper examines current trends in community corrections, current trends in penal institutions, the imprisonment of women, and prison population trends.

Abstract

The overview of the history of New Zealand corrections is divided into three periods: early developments (1840-1909); the new method (1910-1949); and later developments (1950-1989). The discussion of current trends in community corrections focuses on probationary supervision, postrelease supervision, periodic detention, community service, community programs, and probation and parole violations. The description of current trends in penal institutions focuses on the program called He Ara Hou (Maori phrase that means "A New Way"). As New Zealand moves toward the year 2000, its criminal justice system appears to be branching in two directions. On the one hand, innovative intermediate measures have been designed to cut incarceration rates, and the new prison program is emphasizing treatment within the custodial environment. On the other hand, the political wing of justice has responded to public pressure to do something about rising crime. Its solution has been to get tough on violence through the use of increased penalties and tighter restrictions on parole. The overall result has been an increasing prison population due to long-term violent offenders. By increasing the parole recall period, tightening the standard for prison remission, and lengthening the maximum sentence for sexual violations, the Criminal Justice Amendment Act of 1993 will likely boost the upward incarceration trend. Penal institutions provide a wide range of recreational, educational, spiritual, and cultural programs. There are few escapes, and New Zealand has one of the lowest levels of prison violence in the world. Overall, New Zealand's rehabilitation efforts, its institutional programming, and its range of community sentences place it high on the scale of modern correctional systems. A table on penal institution design capacity, 8 notes, and a 35-item bibliography