Injustice
by Peter Naylor
In the mid-2020s it was acknowledged that a lot of recidivism criminal behaviour was the result of a system that didn’t address the issues that an individual had. These may have been as simple as not knowing how to live outside of prison on an income from a benefit to deep mental health issues. Like health, the Total Cost of an individual’s behaviours were calculated, and it was recognised that it was cheaper to invest in making sure that the individual had the support and training needed so that they could live within the law and hopefully become productive members of society. For example, if a person is assaulted meaning that they can’t work anymore, then that is a loss of millions of dollars for the individual and hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxation. And that doesn’t take into consideration the emotional cost to the victim and their families.
When a criminal repeats the behaviour now in 2050 it is considered a failure of the system. The system has failed the victim, cost the country more in terms of processing them again, cost the next victim unnecessarily, and failed the criminal. As a result of recognising the huge cost of serious crime, criminals are incarcerated for the serious crime until such a time as there is a high level of confidence that they won’t continue to break the law upon their release. By calculating the total cost to society, it is recognised that it is not only the cost of behaviour that they have been charged for, but it is likely that they have offended previously and just not been caught or had enough evidence for charging, therefore the true costs are far greater.
Having understood the true costs to society it was decided in the 2020’s to invest in preventative treatment for all criminals.
Causes of criminal behaviour were identified including literacy, family circumstances, peer relations etc., and now at-risk people are identified earlier, and support is put around them to prevent criminal behaviour. Today, rates of offending have been dramatically reduced and the money that was being spent on keeping people imprisoned and in the justice system is now invested in people’s wellbeing. Making sure that they can read, are integrated into communities where they can contribute, have skills and hobbies that suit their individual capabilities etc.
Similarly, regarding youth crime, it was recognised in the early 2020s that allowing youth to get away with poor behaviour had a large cost on society. For example, the dairy owner that closed because of multiple ram raids means that now all the local community had to travel further to do their shopping, costing the community 1000’s of dollars on an ongoing basis, let alone the loss of income for the owner, and another property quite probably boarded up and abandoned devaluing properties around it. It was argued in those days that a criminal conviction could negatively impact the offender, so they often got off with a warning.
With better education catering to young people of all learning styles, young people aren’t falling into gaps that provide the opportunity for criminal behaviour, however, we still have a way to go before this is eliminated, so nowadays when an individual is caught, (which is much easier with the new technologies), an intervention program is put in place. For some this may be a boot camp, for others, it may be intensive counselling, for others it is an Outward Bound/Spirit of Adventure exercise. Both these programmes have expanded with other new courses and are largely available for a wider range of youth and even older people looking for confidence-building courses.
In 2050 if you are the victim of criminal behaviour there is much more support available for you. There is physical, financial and emotional support to make sure that recover from the offence that has impacted you. For example in the case of home invasion you can received advanced security systems that will prevent a recurrence and provide you with the comfort of being well protected.
For those criminals seeking parole, they need to agree to wear a GPS-tracking device for the period of parole. For reformed criminals, this is not an issue for them as the GPS tracking device often helps prove that they weren’t anywhere near the scene of a crime, that they would normally have become a suspect for. Some reformed individuals even choose to keep being tracked after they have come off parole, saving them the hassle of becoming suspects again in the future.
There was much debate about increased use of public cameras, however, it was decided that the widespread use in public places more than offset any privacy concerns. AI is used to detect abnormal behaviour and facial recognition makes it hard for offenders to escape capture.
a) User Stories
Emma is a passionate advocate for criminal justice reform in New Zealand. She has dedicated her life to working with at-risk individuals, helping them break free from the cycle of criminal behavior. Emma's journey began in the early 2020s when she realized the flaws in the existing system. Since then, she has been actively involved in creating and promoting preventative treatment programs for youth and adult offenders. Emma's tireless efforts have earned her respect and recognition in the field, and she continues to inspire others to make a positive impact on society.
Aiden is a reformed offender who once struggled with a life of crime. In his early years, Aiden made poor choices that led to criminal behaviour and multiple convictions. However, with the help of New Zealand's new approach to criminal justice, he received the support and guidance he needed to turn his life around. Aiden is now an advocate for rehabilitation programs and regularly shares his story to inspire others who are on a similar path. His transformation is a testament to the effectiveness of the country's progressive criminal justice initiatives.
Detective Prue has been a dedicated law enforcement officer for over two decades. She experienced firsthand the changes in New Zealand's criminal justice system throughout her career. Prue believes in the importance of early intervention and rehabilitation for offenders. She works tirelessly to solve crimes and, when possible, connect offenders with the support they need to reform. Prue's commitment to justice and her evolving perspective on law enforcement have made her a respected figure in the police force.
Michaela is a victim advocate who provides support and guidance to individuals affected by criminal behavior. She understands the emotional toll that victims and their families endure. Michaela works closely with victims to help them navigate the legal system, access counseling services, and rebuild their lives. Her compassion and dedication have made her a valuable resource for those who have experienced the trauma of crime. Michaela believes in New Zealand's holistic approach to criminal justice, which prioritizes both rehabilitation and support for victims.
Jim is a parolee who is determined to rebuild his life after serving time in prison. With the support of the parole system and access to rehabilitation programs, Jim has made significant progress in addressing the underlying issues that led to his criminal behaviour. He now wears a GPS-tracking device voluntarily to prove his commitment to a crime-free life. Jim’s journey represents the potential for positive change that can result from New Zealand's reformed criminal justice system.