Labour: Private prisons a cop-out by Crown
Labour Law and Order spokesperson Clayton Cosgrove has told today’s rally of Corrections officers at Parliament that the Government’s plan for private prisons is a cop-out on a core Crown responsibility.
“Labour agrees with Corrections officers that the Government needs to come clean on its plans,” Clayton Cosgrove said.
“It is not being honest about the dangers Corrections officers will face in private prisons, and it is not being honest about the fact that New Zealand experience shows private prisons aren’t cost-effective.”
Clayton Cosgrove said prisons are a core Crown responsibility. “Parliament makes the laws. The Crown polices the laws. Judges enforce the laws. And when criminals are sent to prison it is a core Crown responsibility to oversee their incarceration as well.
“The management of private prisons is clearly about making money, and Labour’s greatest fear is that the only way this can be achieved is by cutting corners at the expense of staff safety,” Clayton Cosgrove said.
“National has shown in the past that it is prepared to dodge accountability for what happens inside private prisons. The same thing will happen again.
“Overseas experience indicates assaults within prison will increase. Re-offending will increase. Costs will increase. The profits of overseas companies will increase.
“The only things that won’t increase are safety and efficiency.”
