Aotearoa New Zealand’s justice system could be designed to help everyone heal from harm when it occurs. But instead of solving problems caused by a lack of resources and services, our current justice system has been designed to lock people up. 

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The Justice System is hurting all of us. Instead of seeking to change the system so it is able to better serve all communities, this Bill risks adding to the cycles of harm and will fail to achieve the objectives listed in the Bill. 

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Unfortunately, this Bill represents the opposite of an effective, evidence-based approach. Prisons do not reduce offending, nor do they stop harm from happening. We need the Government to build pathways that lead people to better outcomes. For example, properly resourcing communities, building comprehensive mental health services and drug treatment services, and using proven alternatives to prison. 

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We strongly recommend that the Committee reject the Bill in its entirety. Instead, we need to reimagine our responses to justice in order to see fewer victims, accountability, and a justice system that helps everyone heal when harm is caused.

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View our full submission here.

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