492 (2026). Tamatha Paul to the Minister of Corrections

492 (2026). Tamatha Paul to the Minister of Corrections: Relating to the 24% of incarcerated women between September 2024 - September 2025, how does the cost of incarcerating the additional 163 women compare to the cost of community-based prevention, rehabilitation, and whānau-centred support?

Hon Mark Mitchell: I am advised that Corrections does not readily record the specific costs associated with managing a single person (whether in prison or in the community), but rather reports on the average cost to manage a person due to the difference in health, rehabilitation, and reintegration needs. However, I am further advised that Corrections reports on the average cost to house a prisoner in its Annual Report, which is available at the following link: https://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/strategic_reports/annual-reports/annual_report_202425.