Highlights from Rethinking Crime and Punishment’s Newsletter June Edition

There’s a Law and Order Discussion to be Had After All!
Previous pre-election law and order debates were dominated by “tough on crime’ rhetoric. This one’s different; as the public mood has shifted, so has the discussion - away from ‘lock ‘em up’ to whether the current policies are reducing crime. This is not just a discussion for elitist academics or criminal justice professionals – the wider community has a stake in the outcome – and more people are having their say. It’s not only prisons being unlocked – it‘s also ideas.

Highlight of the Month –the ‘Unlocking Prisons’ Report
Justspeak’s ‘Unlocking Prisons’ report, researched and written over the last eighteen months, was the collaborative work of around 30 Justspeak members, aged between 18 and 30 years. Rethinking reports on the book launch, and the book itself – destined to become a text that will be used in the Universities. It’s a ‘must read’ for aspiring politicians, policy wonks, senior public servants, and anyone wanting to take a closer look into crime and justice issues.

Rethinking’s ‘Smart on Crime’ Epub Series
The 1st issue of Rethinking’s ‘Smart on Crime’ series, ‘Toward a Criminal Justice Strategy – 2015 and Beyond’ will be available within the next few days. Issue No 1. ‘Setting the Scene’ takes a look at the recent changes in the criminal justice system. It argues that there are three complementary but distinct approaches to the develop of a strategy in order for the nation to be ‘Smart on Crime’.

Rethinking Survey: How Do New Zealanders Understand the Better Public Service Crime Reduction Targets and Progress Results
About every three months, a Minister from the Justice Sector announces the latest Justice sector Better Public Services results for reducing crime and re-offending; but what do the public think those results mean? Rethinking conducts a survey to find out.

Submission on the Judicature Modernisation Bill
This Bill includes a clause requiring that “every final written judgment of the court must be published on the Internet unless there is good reason not to publish.” Rethinking argued against the legislation, and the Select Committee has responded positively. Read about it.

Justice Review Panel of In-Court Media Reporting
The Ministry of Justice is currently reviewing its guidelines about In Court Media Reporting; a report triggered by the advent of social media and internet technology. Rethinking has a view on it.

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