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Law and order is also a priority for this Government. In a number of areas, the need for extra resourcing was becoming urgent.
The Budget provides more than $900 million in operating and capital funding over the next four years for initiatives across the justice sector.
Police will receive $183 million to provide 600 more Police by 2011. Half of them will be in Counties-Manukau, with the others spread across the rest of New Zealand.
The Budget also funds tougher anti-money laundering measures, so that New Zealand will meet its international commitments.
Some funding will address more local problems, notably profits from cannabis and methamphetamine sales.
We need to address many downstream pressures within the Justice and Corrections systems. Community Probation and Psychological services will receive an additional $256 million to manage the increased number of offenders serving community sentences and improve the quality of parole and home detention management.
We also know that our prisons are under pressure.
The Budget provides $3 million in 2008/09 and $385 million over the next four years for increased prison capacity and planning for further potential expansion.
Meanwhile, Netherlands closes 5 prisons… Doh!
/Blair Anderson
http://mildgreens.blogspot.com
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