Hyper-incarceration

Question 1

What is hyper-incarceration?

Answer 1

Hyper-incarceration refers to the targeted and concentrated growth of the prison system in New Zealand, particularly affecting marginalized groups like Māori, homeless individuals, and those with mental illness or substance dependencies.

Question 2

What percentage of the general population do Māori make up, and what is their representation in the prison population?

Answer 2

Māori comprise 15% of the general population but account for over half of all prisoners.

Question 3

What are the social roots of hyper-incarceration in New Zealand?

Answer 3

The roots of hyper-incarceration can be traced back to colonization, where the criminal justice system was used as a tool for land dispossession, resulting in intergenerational impacts on Māori.

Question 4

What were the factors contributing to the period of prison growth in New Zealand?

Answer 4

The period of prison growth occurred alongside neoliberal reforms and increased inequality in the 1980s and 1990s, leading to the marginalization of individuals discarded from the post-industrial economy.

Question 5

What are some issues associated with hyper-incarceration in New Zealand?

Answer 5

Hyper-incarceration has led to deteriorating prison conditions, overcrowding, increased violence, suicide rates, and riots.

Question 6

How does the level of imprisonment in New Zealand compare to historical norms and other countries?

Answer 6

The level of imprisonment in New Zealand remains significantly higher than historical norms, and the country has one of the highest incarceration rates among OECD member states.

Question 7

What is the role of the Office of the Ombudsman in monitoring prisons in New Zealand?

Answer 7

The Office of the Ombudsman is responsible for monitoring prisons in New Zealand to prevent mistreatment of people in detention. They conduct regular unscheduled prison inspections and release public reports of their findings.

Question 8

What are the findings of the Ombudsman surveys regarding prison conditions in New Zealand?

Answer 8

The surveys reveal that prison life in New Zealand is characterized by long periods of cell confinement, widespread idleness, limited involvement in work or education programs, and high levels of interpersonal violence.

Question 9

How many hours do prisoners typically spend outside their cells on a typical weekday in New Zealand prisons?

Answer 9

In most prisons surveyed, over two-thirds of respondents spend less than six hours outside their cells. Even in the prison with the most open regime, 40% of prisoners spend less than six hours outside their cells.

Question 10

What percentage of prisoners in New Zealand report no involvement in work or education activities?

Answer 10

Between 40% and 48% of prisoners in men’s prisons, and around 23% of women in Arohata women’s prison, report no involvement in work or education activities.

Question 11

What percentage of prisoners in New Zealand report being assaulted during their sentence?

Answer 11

The results vary by prison, but generally, around half of the participants in men’s prisons and around 47% in Arohata Upper prison report being assaulted during their current sentence.

Question 12

Are prisoners in New Zealand able to access rehabilitation programs?

Answer 12

Many prisoners appear to have limited access to rehabilitation programs, and they are held in settings that are opposed to positive change and healthy development, undermining the rehabilitative ideals of correctional managers.

Question 13

How do firsthand accounts from prisoners and former prisoners contribute to the understanding of prison conditions?

Answer 13

Firsthand accounts provide personal experiences and perspectives on usually closed prison environments, offering insights into the lived experiences of prisoners and bringing attention to the voices of those inside the system.

Question 14

What is the concept of cycles of confinement?

Answer 14

Cycles of confinement refer to the social confinement experienced by Māori communities in the criminal justice system in New Zealand, resulting from cultural deprivation and economic inequality.

Question 15

What are the challenges faced by former prisoners in reintegration?

Answer 15

Former prisoners in New Zealand face difficulties in gaining employment and stable housing, leading to social exclusion and a higher risk of reoffending.

Question 16

How does imprisonment impact families and children?

Answer 16

Imprisonment has collateral effects on families, with ripple effects on social relationships and connections. Children of incarcerated parents are at a higher risk of trauma, social exclusion, and incarceration themselves.

Question 17

What are the broader consequences of hyper-incarceration?

Answer 17

Hyper-incarceration in New Zealand affects families and communities, leading to social destabilization, increased social exclusion, and intergenerational cycles of confinement.

Question 18

What is the relationship between cultural deprivation, poverty, and imprisonment?

Answer 18

Cultural deprivation and poverty contribute to the imprisonment of Māori individuals, creating a symbiotic relationship that perpetuates the cycle of confinement and social marginalization.

Question 19

What are the limitations of prison reform efforts focused solely on reducing the prison population?

Answer 19

Prison reform efforts focused solely on reducing the prison population overlook other forms of confinement experienced by individuals like Stan Coster, which continue to impact their lives even after release.

Question 20

What are the root causes of problems within New Zealand’s prisons?

Answer 20

The problems within New Zealand’s prisons, such as idleness and violence, are rooted in broader societal inequalities in healthcare, employment, and housing.