JAIL REHAB WORSE THAN NOTHING

Prisoners on rehabilitation programmes are more likely to reoffend
than those who don't do them, the Corrections Department was forced
to admit yesterday.

There was a particular problem with its first-stop programme for
offenders called Straight Thinking, it conceded. The 70-hour course,
which 1200 offenders went through in the last financial year, is
defined as a motivational programme aimed at addressing the
underlying causes of reoffending.

The department's last annual report shows community-based
participants on that programme were 9 per cent more likely to be
reconvicted and 4 per cent more likely to be reimprisoned than peers
who weren't on it.

New Zealand First MP Ron Mark highlighted the figures at a select
committee review of Corrections at Parliament yesterday, saying
afterwards "clearly someone in Corrections isn't thinking straight".

He asked Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews to explain why 13
of the 20 evaluations of rehabilitative programmes found recidivism
rates were higher for treatment groups than control groups.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but this shows an inmate is more likely to
be reimprisoned or reconvicted if they have done the programme than
if they haven't done the programme?" Mr Mark asked.

"Generally I agree with you," said Mr Matthews, appointed chief
executive a year ago. Pressed again and asked "what the hell is going
on" by Mr Mark, he responded "well, you could take that view and
that's why we are looking at it".

Only two of the 13 negative figures were rated "statistically
significant" by the department and there were issues about whether
the treatment and control groups were being properly compared, he added.

"That's what we pay you to do," Mr Mark replied, noting that $45.7
million was spent on rehabilitative programmes last year. Mr Mark
said it was general knowledge within Corrections that there were real
problems with the programmes but the department had tried to hide it
from the public.

Mr Matthews said there were departmental concerns and this had
resulted in the recent establishment of an Intervention Services unit.

"We've accepted the delivery of services was not up to the required
standard we would have liked and that's why it was set up."

He pointed out the figures showed special treatment units for sex
offenders and those with drug and alcohol problems were reducing
recidivism, with prison inmates on the latter 16 per cent less likely
to be reconvicted - the most impressive figure.

But the report shows a range of other alcohol and drug programmes are
interpreted by the department as having a negative effect.

The programme

* The Straight Thinking programme was established by National in
1999. The department's website defines it as "an intensive" programme
that offenders attend before going on to other specific programmes.

* "Participants must show they are willing to work towards making
positive changes in their life," it says.

* Corrections' website also says the programme has been reviewed and
the findings were expected late last year. The department has
promised to respond to the Herald today on the progress of the review.

* 120,000 hours of Straight Thinking programmes were budgeted for
this financial year.