Post by Kiwi Frontline on Apr 20, 2016 17:29:51 GMT 12
BAIL CHANGES STACK DECK AGAINST MAORI
A leading justice reform advocate says changes to bail laws and legal aid are filling prisons, with Maori bearing the brunt of the changes.
Kim Workman says the Government’s goal of reducing re-offending is based on false premises about how rehabilitation works in a prisons setting, and the goal should be to have fewer people in prison.
Most don’t now qualify for legal aid, so they plead guilty rather than defend often dubious charges.
"Historically Maori will plead guilty more often than non-Maori. Maori are less likely to be bailed, about twice more likely to be remanded in custody for serious offending than non-Maori. Maori are less likely to have good legal representation, so it's not that offending has increased it's that the systems are weighted against the offender and particularly against Maori," Mr Workman says.
He says a systemic review is needed to address institutional racism in the justice system….
www.waateanews.com/waateanews/x_story_id/MTMzODc=/Bail-changes-stack-deck-against-Maori
A leading justice reform advocate says changes to bail laws and legal aid are filling prisons, with Maori bearing the brunt of the changes.
Kim Workman says the Government’s goal of reducing re-offending is based on false premises about how rehabilitation works in a prisons setting, and the goal should be to have fewer people in prison.
Most don’t now qualify for legal aid, so they plead guilty rather than defend often dubious charges.
"Historically Maori will plead guilty more often than non-Maori. Maori are less likely to be bailed, about twice more likely to be remanded in custody for serious offending than non-Maori. Maori are less likely to have good legal representation, so it's not that offending has increased it's that the systems are weighted against the offender and particularly against Maori," Mr Workman says.
He says a systemic review is needed to address institutional racism in the justice system….
www.waateanews.com/waateanews/x_story_id/MTMzODc=/Bail-changes-stack-deck-against-Maori