THE CASE FOR CLOSING PRISONS: We're at a Corrections crossroads, argues Paul Little. New Zealand already has the second-highest incarceration rate in the Western world, so do we keep building prisons -- or do we change direction now to a less punitive, truly rehabilitative justice and penal system?

The article discusses the issues related to prisoners in New Zealand. It states prisoners include on remand, awaiting trial, and will not be convicted and government incurs an expenditure of 110,000 dollars per inmate a year and Justice Minister Andrew Little supports crime prevention and rehabilitation over punitive policies. It mentions crime prevention involves proper childhood through education, building a better justice system, psychological and career training, and religious counselling.