Male and female prison

Press, 30 October 1981, Page 13

Male and female prison

PA Wellington Females and youths should share the same prisons as adult male offenders, believes the Secretary for Justice (Mr J. F. Robertson).

In a submission on the Penal Policy Review, Mr Robertson has promoted a regional prison concept, which could accommodate females in segregated wings of male institutions. Youth institutions would become regional prisons, and segregation of young people from adults, applied in some cases only. Mr Robertson, whose submission has been made to the review committee chaired by Mr Justice Casey, acknowledges that putting women in male prisons would be a

“radical departure” from current policy. “Even so, I believe it is both necessary and warranted given the desirability of implementing the concept of regional prisons,” he said.

Prisons could then allow as many facilities as possible to be used on a co-educa-tional basis. In relation to the regional prison concept, females should not be any more disadvantaged than males, he said;

Mr Robertson said research had shown that young people were more likely to re-offend when released, and that most advice among prisoners was given by older inmates to younger ones.

“These findings question

the wisdom of rigorously separating younger from older offenders in prison, and raises the possibility of positive gains from the judicious placement of offenders of different ages.”

>' However, he said, there needed to be further investigation. Mr Robertson’s proposed prison system model includes a network of small commun-ity-based regional prisons. They would cater for specific “catchment” areas, would house inmates of minimum and medium security, and have readjustment facilities available within the area.

Apart from the regional prisons there would be secure institutions for inmates who were special

security risks. There would also be a medium-security institution for inmates who were not suitable to be retained; in regional prisons, but not suitable for transfer to maximum security. Mr Robertson also proposes a number of special purpose prisons to cater for inmates undergoing special custodial sentences (such as corrective training) and those undergoing special training and educational programmes.

This system would allow most offenders to be kept in, or close to their own communities and families. It would also enhance greater community involvement in the prison system generally.