Want to know why our unemployment rate is so low?
Taking into account the massive part time work force, the reason why the unemployment rate is so low in this country is because we now have one of the largest prison populations ever. 8000 NZers are now behind bars, so much so that the Corrections Department is looking to keep remand prisoners in police cells. This is a recipe for corruption and violence and a situation that simply can’t be allowed to go on, 2 new prisons are on their way but again it seems we have to look at this recent trend towards punitive imprisonment and knee jerk reactions to blame for the worsening situation inside our prisons.
Police cells not fit to live in
Prison space is bursting at the seams and now the Corrections Department is under fire for looking at alternative accommodation. It is considering turning police cells into make shift prisons but the prison reformers say they are not fit for people to live in. With prisons at capacity, police cells are increasingly being used to keep remand prisoners. Inspector Brett Kane says extra staff are being brought in to supervise the prisoners at various sites, who are being kept occupied with entertainment including TVs, books and other reading material. Kane says Corrections officials and police are working to remedy the situation and a decision is due soon on whether to make the Papakura Police Station south of Auckland a Corrections facility. Figures released on Saturday show that New Zealand prisons are packed with 8,076, behind bars, forcing around 150 prisoners to be temporarily held in police cells last month.
posted by Bomber @ 7:01 am
11 comments
11 Comments:
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While the high prison population is of concern, it is misleading to claim it is the leading cause of the current low unemployment rate.
According to the March 2007 quarter Household Labour Force Survey, there were 2,143,000 people employed, and 84,000 unemployed, giving an unemployment rate of 3.8%. If the 8,000 people presently incarcerated are included in the labour force, and assumed to all be unemployed, the unemployment rate rises to 4.1% - a small change.
There has been a downward trend in unemployment beginning in 1999, when 143,000 people were unemployed, a rate of 7.5%. Where have the 60,000 people who are now no longer unemployed gone? Clearly not all to prison; changes in migration, overall macroeconomic conditions, and structural effects swamp the minute influence swelling prison populations.
Could you theory have any merit? Perhaps. Total long term unemployment (over 26 weeks) is currently around 10,000 people. This is of similar magnitude to the prison population, so transitions between imprisonment and long term unemployment may have significant effects on both groups. But all this leads to is the obvious connection between crime, long term unemployment, and the most marginalised people in society. I haven’t the knowledge to suggest how to address these problems, other than to suggest that the answers are probably not as easy to find, or implement, as some purport them to be.
In sum, while the growth in New Zealand’s prison populations has had little effect on the overall unemployment rate, it may have had a larger influence on the long term unemployment rate.
Correction mate, most of the (10,000?) long term unemployed are actually on the sickness benefit, (nearly 50,000) who have to get their benefit renewed by the doctor for some bogus ailment every 3 month's; or if they don't want to pay for that then they get the doctor to put them on the Invalid's benefit which (over 80,000) they only renew with another trip to the doctor they don't need to really make because they are not actually sick just lazy; only once a year.Am I speaking from experience you might ask.Well yes I have egghead's like you to thank "anonymous" because instead of speaking out against this sort of thing going on with the labour government's blessing, you are more interested in seeing people like me who have pointed these sort of irregularities out to the public at large rotting on the dole because we speak the truth and not a load of old bollock's like you.But thank's for asking anyway!
Uh oh, looks like the police have done it again ... this in the Herald today:
"A South Auckland policeman has been suspended after being charged with dealing in the methamphetamine drug P.
Police have refused to provide details but it is understood the 26-year-old was a temporary sworn member of the police. He has already made one appearance in court. "
They're not doing well for their own self image are they?
NS
Oops, sorry that was actually from "Stuff".
NS
Basically, prison should be for deliberate violence and the most heinous acts of dishonesty or persistent recklessness.
Not for small time theft, fraud, vehicle offences and drug dealing.
The last one of these shouldn't be a crime at all. The rest can be better dealt with through community punishments and other measures. (e.g. if you blag the dole for 20k it's reasonable that you should be banned from getting benefits any more - it isn't reasonable to lock you up).
What drugs is rich on, Build bigger Jails reintroduce Hard labour, Make the scum buckets in Jail work for there living instead of smokin dope, plannin crime, watching TV etc. If they dont work they dont get fed. That way we wouldnt have so many shit heads going in there in the first place. Mt Eden is a rest home for Guards and crims
A prison full of anon would be a better place.
Prison doesn't make one violent, it just allows those who are predisposed to violence to use it.
In fact, prison is a perfect example of the society hated wants us to live under;
Dog eat dog, the weak and powerless get fucked over, and strength of character is replaced by the strength of the fist.
In fact, prison is a perfect example of the society hated wants us to live under;
LOL WHERE THE HELL DO YOU FROGS SPRING FROM?
I disagree with the Anon and anon relies that it is my idea to live under an oppressive system that doesn't work... NICE ONE ANON
I hope your not in charge of some dangerous machinery.
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John Key wants to allow building and privatisation of some new prisons. Who pays for them? Do we start charging inmates or their families rent?
NS
privatisation for prison.... just like the US... so when will the gun shops be opening out South Auckland?
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