Act ‘shows very advanced thinking’

Press, 28 February 1986, Page 29

Act ‘shows very advanced thinking’

PA Wellington The new Criminal Justice Act, with its emphasis on community-based sentencing, shows "very advanced thinking” in crime prevention, according to the president of the International Prisoners’ Aid Association, Mr Ray Kidney.

Mr Kidney, of Adelaide, is visiting New Zealand to meet and exchange ideas with branches of the New Zealand Prisoners’ Aid and Rehabilitation Society, which is affiliated to the international body.

Mr Kidney said New Zealand was ahead of Australia in many aspects of prisoner rehabilitation. One example was the system of half-way houses for recently freed prisoners and their dependants, which Mr Kidney saw on a previous visit to New Zealand in the 19705. After the New Zealand Prisoners’ Aid lead, the Adelaide service had established 24 half-way houses.

Mr Kidney said the houses reflected the philosophy underlying the prisoner aid movement — preventing crime through the rehabilitation of offenders and the care of their dependants. “Crime, we believe, is a community problem, and so we need the help of the community to find solutions. That means involving volunteers to help people coming out of prison.”

Mr Kidney said people needed to show tolerance and extend the helping hand of job offers and accommodation.

“If nothing is done for them in the vital 90 days after release, the chances are they will be back inside,” he said. The next 12 months would be critical for the success of the Criminal Justice Act, even though it had got off to a good start. “If the community doesn’t get involved the act will fail, and people will say, 'I told you so’.”