What are the limits of effective public policy?
Concerns about crime and violence have led to various proposals about controlling such problems. These are sometimes fuelled by the capabilities provided to us by scientific research and electronic technologies. So, for example, Rotorua City wishes to monitor its CBD on closed-circuit TV to spot known criminals who have been banned from the streets and to have them removed. The Children’s Commissioner wants a national database to track every child from birth to 18 (why stop at 18?). A researcher, Kaye McLaren, proposes a system that identifies – at birth – those likely to become serious criminals so that their families could get priority aid from social services. This is intended to reduce the numbers of offenders in prisons. (As you probably know, New Zealand’s prison incarceration rate is already one of the highest in the world, and growing). McLaren says: ‘The path to prison starts at conception’. But if you are poor and Maori, you are more likely to be a target for the system she proposes. I’m just wondering what the limits of effective law and public policy actually are. What do you think?
posted by Grant Duncan @ 1:45 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
When I lived in Manchester, UK, I noted that they had CCTV in the city centre to identify criminals and later use footage in prosecution. While initially I thought that the CCTV cameras were an infringement on my own rights, I quickly came to the conclusion that I felt just a little bit safer knowing that someone was watching me - even if by camera.
Identifying potential criminals from birth, however, just feels like a negative spin on the topic from the start. Surely, we can find a way to improve services and programs to benefit all communities and reduce the number of criminals in the long-term? I don't know what the answer is, but it's a topic worth discussing at length.
Fair question, Liz, and I think the discussion will go on now that the PM has announced changes to sentencing etc with a view to reducing the prison population.
I read the NZ Herald article (16/8/06) about the changes to sentencing and it left me wondering just how effective its going to be. I understand that the proposal includes increasing the chance of parole from 1/3 to 2/3rds (into their sentencing time) but at the same time the Judges will reduce the amount of sentencing time first imposed. How is this going to help? Surely it means that the majority of prisoners will still spend the same amount of time in prison? Perhaps my understanding is incorrect. The whole focus seems to be on putting in more effective surveillance systems, home detention, electronically monitored curfews etc but still nothing seems to done from a rehabilitation point of while ... while the prisoners are in prison. I completely understand why we need more trust in sentencing ... but aren't these systems aimed at reducing prison numbers to avoid building more prisons.... shouldn't more money and focus be put towards preventative measures first ... then rehabilation?? Just a thought!!
Thanks, Sarah, and I share your concerns. I am not fully up with the play regarding the proposed legislation. But I have not seen enough reference to rehab in prisons to be confident that these proposals will do much to prevent re-offending - which is one of the big issues. At least the PM acknowledges that prison numbers are growing out of proportion in relation to crime rates - which show little sign of growth. I worry that they are too concerned with the punitive public backlash that would happen if they were to mandate prisoner rehab, education, training etc. 'Commit a crime and get free tertiary education while doing time!' Imagine the talk-back comments! Imagine Parry inmates doing my courses extramurally!
Mark
I have always thought that making something illegal makes it desirable - for psychological as well economic reasons, as you suggest. If we truly do valuehuman freedom so highly, how can we justify marking people out as potential criminals on the basis of risk? That is potentially to stigmatise people as dangerous on an imprecise calculation of what they MIGHT do. Then there is the issue of the effectiveness of any social service countermeasures that are supposed to 'control' this risk or to prevent commission of crimes. Just how effective are they, especially when you are dealing with an 'at risk' child who hasn't even thought about committing a crime yet? And where is the evidence?
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