3416 (2024). Hon Dr Duncan Webb to the Minister of Justice

3416 (2024). Hon Dr Duncan Webb to the Minister of Justice: Does the Minister believe it is acceptable that more than 50% of prisoners in Women's prisons in New Zealand are on remand, and if so, why?

Hon Paul Goldsmith: No, that is why the Government is concerned that the average time spent on remand has been increasing. Court delays are the primary cause of this trend and I expect the Government’s strong focus on reducing court delays to lead to a decrease in the average time spent on remand. I am advised that the proportion of people in prison who are on remand has increased from 30% to 43% over the past five years. For women in prison, this proportion has increased from 33% to 54%. The proportion of prisoners on remand is a function of two variables: the size of the sentenced population and the size of the remand population. A range of factors determine the size of those populations, including the number of cases being brought to court, sentencing practices and the average time spent on remand. The Government is also taking steps to make it explicit in legislation that prisoners who have been convicted and are being held on remand while awaiting sentencing will be provided with rehabilitation that helps address the causes of their offending.