Howard has worked for 3 years as a volunteer chaplain at Springhill, the biggest prison in NZ. He made some observations of his experience there.
Howard became horrified of the conditions in prison, something he was not aware of until he went there. He said prisons have become a political football. Prison is a very expensive way of dealing with crime. It costs $120K/year to keep someone in prison. NZ has a very high rate of imprisonment, 2nd only to the US. We have around 11,000 people in prison. The rate for Maori is 700 per 100,000. If your skin is brown, you have a much rougher ride through the system.
Andrew Little, the Minister of Justice said recently that law and order in NZ has been a 30 year failure. Howard said we have a very high rate of recidivism. 72% of those released are back inside in 2 years. He asked, where is the correction?
Of 1200 people in Springhill only 235 are on work programmes. There are 200 people on remand. The remand unit is very volatile. There are no programmes to help them. They can get help once they are convicted but may be on remand for up to 30 months. If they are not convicted, there is no redress.
What can be done? Most staff have genuine concern for inmates, but the system does not allow compassionate treatment. Howard said prisoners should be treated as people. The system is not humane.
Howard suggested we should be speaking up as a community to improve the system.
Notices
BOOKARAMA 2019 Wednesday 8th May to Sunday 12th May.
Bookarama is just over three weeks away which means the workload will increase to make it all happen. As part of the organising team Dennis Finn is looking forward to whatever support you are able to provide.
The following are the key tasks that will require an increasing level of support from our members.
- Book sorting will continue every Monday with the exception of Easter Monday 22nd April in which case sorting will take place on Friday 26th April. It might be that we will sort on the Monday and again on Friday of the week before the event if books are still flowing in.
- Sunday May 5th we shift the books from Achievement House to the Town Hall. We will need assistance that day as well.
- We will also be calling for assistance on Sunday 13th May when we shift out of the Town Hall and tidy up after the sale.
- Rosters for assistance during the book sale will be passed around just after Easter so you can indicate what time you can give and over what days to (a) set up the Hall and (b) during the days the sale is open to the Public.
Look forward to your support and ask that you give consideration to the time you can give and when so there is no delay when the rosters are handed around.
Thanks in advance for your time. It is certainly appreciated.
Ideas for projects - Doug Lang said we need to suggest projects that could do good in the community. Every idea will be considered. The Rotary Foundation will match the money contributed by our club. At this stage we just want ideas.
District Training Day is 4 May in Taupo. Car pooling will be organised. Attendees find it very worthwhile. You meet Rotarians from other clubs and get good ideas.
No meeting on Anzac Day, April 25.
Waiheke Trip
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Update on D9930 Mosque Appeal
Thank you all who have responded with support and donations to the tragedy of Christchurch which occurred on Friday 15th March 2019.
Rotary D9930 has transferred $17,530 raised from within the district to the D9970 Mosque appeal being coordinated by the Rotary Club of Riccarton. $2950 was raised at the District Conference and the balance has been raised by individual and club donation.
You will see below that your donations will most likely be used in the legacy fund for supporting the families and victims in the long term, particularly with the educational and vocational needs of the affected.
D9970 Governor John Driscoll and his Rotary team of Presidents in Christchurch on the ground, are to be congratulated for their leadership and instant response to this sad event. On top of the earthquakes, Rotary in Christchurch has shown the care, respect and sympathy for all New Zealanders and have lead by example. Well done President Shane Murdoch, Rotary Club of Riccarton for coordinating the appeal.