I would like to put across a point, that not every person sent to prison is necessarily a bad person. Fair enough, some people, no matter how much help is offered, want or have the inclination to change their life or propensities. My issue is that there seems to be very little in place for rehabilitation of detainee's that have underlying problems that have often been a trigger for their crime. Specifically, I mean, people who have substance addictions, for instance, alcohol addiction. This is a very real by product of society today, as especially alcohol, is so readily available anywhere or anyhow. It is also the accepted form of socialising, and quickly becomes so normal in everyday life, that for some people they don’t even realise that it has taken over their lives. At the point that they do realise, quite often embarrassment or shame, that they can’t give it up, precludes a variety of emotions, e.g. self worthlessness, anger, disappointment and depression. It becomes a vicious circle into which an alcohol dependent person slowly but surely becomes enmeshed. It is often easier to drink more to dull the senses, than face up to having to seek help. It can also lead to criminal offences that would never happen had the person been sober/ substance free. The alcoholic/ substance abuser can often lose friends, family, dignity and pride, and loss of freedom before actually accepting that they do have a problem.
If they become incarcerated over an alcohol/ substance fuelled crime, there seems to be no rehabilitation offered at the onset of a prison to help them beat their addictions. This seems to be an oversight by the Powers that Be, as surely rehabilitation would be a huge factor in preventing further offences and not only alleviate the overcrowded prisons problem but also our Health system, as well. The amount of offending done under the influence of alcohol /substances must be a high percentage, and surely it would make sense to have rehabilitation strategies in place as a preventive measure.

I agree with you up to a point Christine. BUT there is no way you can help an alcoholic unless they want help. I know this from personal experience as a family member has alcohol problems but won't admit that he needs help as he denies he has a problem. And yes he has done a stint inside (9 months) due to alcohol related crimes, a second drink driving offence committed before he came to Court for the first one. He got a real fright but has not stopped his drinking, although he hasn't driven in the last three years since he got out. So I suppose that is one blessing.

You are quite correct in saying that you cant help an alcoholic unless they want to be helped, Old Kiwi Kid. My contention is what about those who DO want help and there is no provision for rehabilative strategies for them. Perhaps if there were, it would be easier for the ones that have come to terms with the problem to learn coping and redirective skills that didnt involve alcohol/substance abuse, that would help ensure that once outside correctional facilities, the reoffending chances would be very low. It seems that alcoholism, in particular, is generally disregarded as a serious addiction and more passed off as a " They'll get over it" attitude. My main concern is that there seems no help in correction facilites for these people. Even the fact that an alcoholic/ substance abuser can have withdrawl symptoms for which can have quite serious consequences, if they go unrecognised.
I hope your family member does come to terms with his alcoholism, OKK, and manages to beat it . Alcohol certainly has a stranglehold on some people. It must be such a great feeling for them not to bound to it.

You are forgetting one main point in your debate. Re-habilitation costs money, and this present government are not going to include prisoners in their scheme of things. But to be perfectly honest as far as I know there has never been any programmes for prisoners, to mend their ways.Indeed one of the main problems for many prisoners is Literacy, or rather, the lack of it.On good authority I was informed an educated person in prison, is a valueable commodity for other prisoners.
And if you notice the latest news, prisoners are making 'booze' out of hand cleanser.Getting back to your point then Christine,I would'nt be hoping for change anytime soon.

I believe that there is good in all of us. People are more important than money and the rehabilitation of prisoners is well worth doing