Based on ''Humans of New York,'' we aim to give you a glimpse into people's lives, to see the stories behind the statistics... At the time this project was started, New Zealand's prison population hit a massive 10,000 inmates. We think we can do better, and it starts with listening to individual stories. Every election, politicians make promises about being tougher on crime, and building bigger prisons, supposedly to keep us all safer. However, if we look at evidence from other countries, bigger prisons further away from communities just doesn't work. Inmates don't get as many visits, so are socially disconnected, plus the violence inside the prisons is greater with more numbers. The community develops the feeling that prisoners are far away, and becomes less likely to forgive and include (and employ) them when they are released. Often, ex-prisoners can feel that they are still being punished 20+ years after serving their sentence. Realistically, where's the clean slate when it comes to applying for jobs and securing accommodation? There's also a huge percentage - estimated around 80-95% - of inmates who suffer from either mental health problems, or addictions. Statistically, these issues are improved more by better community connection, and rehab, counselling etc. It seems like common sense that these issues aren't going to be improved by being locked up for a few years. This project is not connected in any way to the Department of Corrections, nor is it a criticism of them. For the most part, we're all doing the best we can within the system we have. It is encouraging to see that there are more programs in prisons than in the past. However, they are not always available (e.g. not as many in high-security prisons, and not for people serving short terms, and not for those who aren't on good behaviour and various other limits). The aim of this project is for us to understand individuals and what led them to a place of being imprisoned, so that we're not thinking of them all in the same box (informed by sensationalist news media). Also to inform people that it's never just the prisoner themselves who is affected, it has a ripple effect to their children, family and friends, and wider community. So making the best justice system for a few will benefit us all. We want you to be able to see each individual as human, with hopes, dreams and hobbies, so that when we vote, we're voting with better understanding. The Humans of our Prisons project was founded by a handful of volunteers, who have changed over the years. Any donations welcome, which will contribute to the costs of keeping the website live, printing out some flyers, and boosting the occasional post. Other help would be to like and share, so that the project can reach more people. Mercy triumphs over Justice - James 2:13
