Rethinking crime and punishment

Criminal Justice

Written by John McNeil Thursday, 18 June 2009 09:13

In April this year, over 100 people met to identify the key issues at a Drivers of Crime ministerial meeting. Initiated by Rethinking Crime and Punishment (RCAP) - one of the networks with which visionnetwork is involved - the gathering included people working at the frontline in crime and offending prevention, people working with victims of crime, academics, members of the judiciary, and members of parliament.

RCAP newsletters make a significant contribution to the crime-and-punishment debate. visionnetwork National Director Glyn Carpenter said there is good evidence to suggest that many populist views in the debate may not be right. "Slogans such as ‘get tough on crime' are hugely simplistic and suppress important discussion and reflection," he said. Read more... <link to come>

In its latest newsletter, RCAP reports that over the next six months the group will further explore the identified issues, asking such questions as: What is currently happening? What works? What looks promising? What represents value for money? What more needs to happen - where should government put its resources?

The RCAP newsletters can be found at their website, http://www.rethinking.org.nz/