Campaign blog: 29 October - Rt Hon John Key

10 Comments
29 October 2008
Campaign blog: 29 October

The release of National's Prisons policy, a visit to Air New Zealand's hangars, a drop-in to a pre-school, and a meeting with Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, were all highlights of my visit to Christchurch yesterday.

The day was fine and calm when I arrived, but a strong Nor-Westerly was forecast.

I started the day visiting a pre-school, and read a story to the children about a yellow digger.

I am a bit of an aviation nut, so the visit to Air New Zealand hangars at Christchurch Airport was of interest.

We saw their work on aircraft engines and parts, and their Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s. The airline obviously has a thriving engineering business at the airport.

We were originally scheduled to release our Prisons policy outside Rolleston Prison, but changed the venue to outside the Christchurch courthouse because of the rising winds.

The policy focuses on reforming our prisons and offering prisoners work experience and other help to overcome debilitating drug and alcohol addiction problems.

With the carrot is the stick of cancelling parole for those prisoners who are able to work but refuse to do so.

I believe it is a waste of resources letting offenders serve their time without challenging them to change their behaviour, only to release them and throw them back in prison again when they reoffend.

Today I am heading to the deep south, flying to Queenstown and then travelling on to Invercargill, where I will be staying overnight.

John Key

National Headlines - Keeping you up to date

Labour's answer to gangs: form a committee

New Zealanders will be offended by Labour's announcement today that its only response to the scourge of gangs is to form a committee, says National's Justice and Corrections spokesman, Simon Power.

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Key announces commitment to tourism sector

National Party Leader John Key today confirmed that if elected Prime Minister he intends to take the ministerial tourism portfolio.

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Owen Glenn still expecting job in May

National Party Shadow Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee says Owen Glenn was still expecting a job as the honorary consul to Monaco as recently as May.

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National to upgrade biosecurity

A National Government will introduce a range of measures to reduce the chances of a repeat of the pest incursions of recent years, says Biosecurity spokesman Shane Ardern.

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Local Government policy targets infrastructure

National Party Local Government spokesman John Carter says the party's Local Government policy is all about growth and reducing the burden of Wellington-based bureaucracy on ratepayers.

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National to boost prison work and rehabilitation

A National-led Government will greatly boost the number of prisoners learning industry-based skills and double those receiving intensive drug and alcohol treatment, National Party Leader John Key announced today.

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Tragedy from bureaucratic errors
National Party Health spokesman Tony Ryall says after nine years Labour still can't get the basics right with the health system.

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Clark's 'Could've Been' campaign all about spending

National Party Finance spokesman Bill English says after nine long years in Government, Helen Clark has been reduced to running a 'Could've Been' election campaign.

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#1 - speight 2008-10-29 16:20 - (Reply)

Congratulations on the efforts of you and your team - just hope they bear fruit.

#1.1 - Owen Springford 2008-10-29 17:45 - (Reply)

Having used the inmates from Mangaroa prison working in the various forest I manage for about 5 years, I was forced to the conclusion that there is a deep pathology in the management of the prison system. I suspect that a large number of inmates should never get to prison and a small number should never get out. However every effort should be made to shut down drug use (a Syft machine should be installed in every prison for this purpose) and get inmates feathered back into the work force as quickly as possible. I suggest that they should be able to keep an increasing amount of what they can earn in pre-release employment so that they can re-enter the world with a grubstake to help them get restarted. I am sure opening up the prison management market will see all sorts of innovation.

#2 - E Gates 2008-10-29 17:19 - (Reply)

While I agree that engaging prisoners in a work program is a good idea, I believe that it may be too late for some. The issue that appears to land them into prison is lack of a good education. A large proportion of prisoners have learning difficulties and are frustrated with themselves at their inability to succeed. A basic reading & writing program whilst in prison is vital, plus an anger management program, development of social skills, CV writing, interview technique, drugs & alcohol program etc Self esteem improves when able to land themselves a decent job. Without work, the offender gets bored and tends to slip into drugs, alcohol and petty crime again to support their problem.

#2.1 - John Buckley 2008-10-29 19:17 - (Reply)

I am in agreement here, my experience with inmates as a polytechnic tutor is that very good results could be achieved with many but, despite showing great promise in study by correspondence, all too soon when released the return to their old ways was very rapid for many. I must say I felt that more often than not I had wasted my time.

#3 - Les J Hole 2008-10-29 18:14 - (Reply)

Hi John My belief is, when you break to law and are a convicted criminal, you are by choice outside the law and therefore, you have 'no rights as a citizen!' A prison sentence should be 'hard labour' which means: 1. Growing your own food under restraint & supervision 2. Working on community based projects under restraint & supervision 3. Any profits generated by the criminal during the sentence are returned to the victims 4. Time is served in an environment that discourages a return to prison, not the current holiday camps! 5. Rehab, education and life courses are available when items 1-4 have been satisfied 6. Parole after 80% of the sentence is served with distinction under items 1-5 The law breaker (outlaw) should have to earn the rights of a citizen again by serving the sentence of the courts with distinction... Too hard... The choice of each individuals is, this is what will happen to you when you break the law, no excuses! Our society is so full of unproven PC ideas from people in cloistered environments who have no idea what 'real life is about' and we have forgotten who is keeping the show on the road... The average good, productive citizen and NZ taxpayer! Its time for a change! Regards Les

#3.1 - Bryan Frost 2008-10-30 07:21 - (Reply)

agree by and large. Parole with very restricted terms;for non violent crime. Life to mean life More victim support. Sentences to be additional to existing term(s) Criminals,by their action,have no rights except to be treated humanely(ie not beaten to death!)

#3.2 - Claude Joachim Wecke 2008-10-30 09:56 - (Reply)

I whole heartitly agree that a prisoner has forfeited his citizen rights. Instead of pussy-footing they should be made to work for the money they cost the community. Hard Labour was always a good idea, in chain gangs if necessary. Road building is another possibility.Juvenile courts should introduce corporal punishment. It is the only method to teach them discipline, anything else is wishful thinking.

#4 - Adrian G. forshaw 2008-10-29 19:43 - (Reply)

I think we would have much more success in reducing recidivism if instead of trying to find ways to challenge criminals to change their behaviour we implemented measures to make them too scared not to change it.

#4.1 - Ronald A Palmer said:
2008-10-30 11:18 - (Reply)

Adrian you are on the right track. Prisons should be a place where no one but no one would ever want to return to. Work should be compulsory and the prison should be tiered so that a prisoner earns his way from hard toil for 7 days a week to easier jobs but should be kept working 8 hours a day 6 days a week until released. Gorse infested places like the Rimutaka hill should be cleared and planted in pines. Drug rehabilitation should be compulsory and cold turkey as a cure should not be overlooked. A referendum on capital punishment for the recidivist rapists, paedophile murderers and other heinous crimes should be held. These people (animals) should not be kept at the tax payer expenses. The PC brigade and wet behind the ears boffins have been proved wrong time and time again. They and there supporters should be made to mix with these animals to straighten up there thinking. Perhaps some of the boffins and PC element should be drug tested - I'm sure the results would surprise many.

#5 - Chris Harmer 2008-10-30 07:08 - (Reply)

John Key. Better check out the mayor of Invercargill; he is supporting you this year. Cheers and good wishes. Chris.

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