Dean Jacqui: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Dean Jacqui: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 22 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2223. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
4. 
JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) 
 to the  
Minister of Corrections 
: What recent announcements has she made about reducing reoffending? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Corrections) 
: 
 Yesterday the Associate Minister of Corrections and I announced that Budget 2012 will contribute to a 25 percent reduction in reoffending by 2017 and 18500 fewer victims of crime every year from 2017. The moves are part of the Prime Minister’s expectations for a more efficient and results-driven Public Service. This new focus on reducing reoffending will result in 33000 additional offenders receiving new and expanded drug and alcohol treatment in prisons and in the community—an increase of almost 500 percent. Alongside increased education skills training and employment programmes for prisoners including remand prisoners it will lead to safer communities. 
Jacqui Dean 
: What specific investments is the Government making in Budget 2012 to reduce reoffending? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY 
: Reprioritised funding of $65 million in operating expenditure over the next 4 years will contribute to 7855 additional prisoners and community offenders receiving new and expanded rehabilitation services 2950 additional prisoners in education and employment training 41000 community offenders receiving new rehabilitation support provided directly by probation officers and 6000 prisoners and community-based offenders accessing new reintegration support programmes from iwi and community groups. 
Jacqui Dean 
: How is the Government planning on increasing employment opportunities for prisoners upon release? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY 
: As part of our increased focus on reducing reoffending we will be increasing the support provided to prisoners on release and working with employers industry groups and Work and Income to highlight and promote prison training. Some of this work is already under way and a recent open day at Spring Hill Corrections Facility attracted huge interest including a number of large employers like Fletcher Construction Spotless and Turners and Growers. Another key focus will be targeting training in areas where there are likely to be skills gaps. In fact we have started this in Christchurch already with extra trades training so that prisoners can help fill the demand for labour as we rebuild Christchurch. And the 90-day trial for workers is also important in helping prisoners find work so that industry can take a chance on a released prisoner. 
Te Ururoa Flavell 
: Tena koe Mr Speaker. Kia ora tatou. Does the Minister agree with Kim Workman of Rethinking Crime and Punishment that the recent Budget 2012 changes announced by the Minister and the Associate Minister of Corrections the Hon Dr Pita Sharples are “highly ambitious and represents a major shift in the way Corrections has conducted its business over the last two decades.” and how will the changes help cut the reoffending rate of Maori? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY 
: Yes I am. And I am confident that with the support of our coalition partners and the Associate Minister with the Maori Party these new initiatives will make a significant difference for Maori. In fact the drug treatment programme that is currently offered which we are looking to expand has been most effective with our Maori offenders. So I thank the Associate Minister for his support. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I know it is a breach of the Standing Orders to draw the attention of the House to the fact that Ministers are reading speeches— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! The member cannot do that. No no. The member should not do that and he knows he should not do that.