Locking up crims 'not the answer'

Revenge may be sweet, but for one Palmerston North victim of arson, knowing the person who burned his business to the ground is in jail has given him no satisfaction.

Palmerston North businessman Paul Barris feels sadness for arsonist Christopher Tubman, who was sent to prison for six years last year after causing $480,000 of damage to one of his buildings.

"I feel more anger towards the justice system than him, locking him up is considered him paying his debt to society.

"As a taxpayer I have to pay towards sending him through court and keeping him in prison when it will achieve nothing, he won't be a better person when he comes out."

Mr Barris called a public meeting last night to try to find a solution to New Zealand's overcrowded jails and reoffending criminals.

The 23 people who turned up all agreed locking people up was not the answer.

Restorative justice seemed a more constructive way to go, according to the group.

Sending offenders on work placements rather than keeping them in prison to build contacts and learn tricks from other criminals was suggested by many at the meeting.

The group thought more recognition and treatment for mental health issues was another possible way forward.

"For a kid to cycle eight kilometres in the dark, spend half an hour breaking into my building just to burn it down suggests something is seriously wrong with him," he said of Tubman.

The need for the community to be more willing to help people change their ways was another solution raised.

Prisoners' Aid and Rehabilitation Society field services manager Audrey Laing said employers needed to give prisoners a chance to get work experience with them.

"If it doesn't work out they can send them back to the prison but at the moment there just aren't the jobs out there for them because people don't want to give them a shot."

Suzanne Carpenter felt the problem was in the education system, and low self-esteem and illiteracy could lead to crime.

"People get caught driving without a licence, for example, because they were unable to sit the theory test, they end up in prison if they get caught enough times and then they pick up worse habits and make criminal contacts."

The group has agreed to go away and think more specifically about possible solutions and meet again in a month.

The group also wants to invite MPs, lawyers and judges to the next meeting.

"If we all put our heads together we can find a solution," Mr Barris said.

- © Fairfax NZ News