Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel
With prison numbers at their highest ever and still rising, one former prisoner and critic of this government's tough-on-crime policies has put his hope in a controversial programme.
As the prison population ticked over to a new record above 11,000 this month, one expert says controversial military-style academies are one of the best ways to keep troubled young men and women out of jail.
"I have never come away from anything to do with the justice system with more hope in my heart than I have when I visited the military-style academy," says Paul Wood, a former prisoner who promotes rehabilitation programmes for men and women.
Wood is a critic of the current government's prison policies and admits his stance on
Continue Reading on RNZ
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.