February 08, 2024
Section 27 cultural reports value for money
Greens’ justice spokesperson Tamatha Paul says defunding cultural reports will deprive the justice system of valuable information into the drivers of crime.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is bringing in legislation to deny legal aid funding for the reports, which are used to give judges background information on defendants when it comes to sentencing.
Ms Paul says National’s one size fits all approach to crime and justice will end up creating more victims, because people will come out of prison and go back to causing harm rather than addressing their underlying problems.
She says most people in prison have disabilities, mental health issues, addiction issues and extensive histories of trauma.
“Most people in prison are deeply traumatised and putting them in jail is not going to heal them. Making sure they have the right rehabilitative support, that they’ve got acess to counselling and programmes that support them to be the best versions of themselves is what will see crime reduced in our communities,” Ms Paul says.
She says the cost of imprisoning people is far higher than crime prevention, which can include better housing, employment, liveable benefit rates and even lunch in schools.