How do we build a world without police and prisons | True Justice
By JustSpeak and Popsock Media
New Zealanders love true crime. But real life isn’t that straightforward. True Justice is a five-part podcast series that shares the stories of those who have been through our prisons, and advocates for a more just justice system in Aotearoa.
In Episode 5: Transformation, we hear about alternative visions for justice, and how we could build a world without police and prisons.
“People still say lock them up,” says Jess, one of the former prisoners interviewed in the True Justice podcast. “But they agree that it's not working.”
The podcast spoke to many people, experts and prisoners alike, about what they would hope to see in a justice system.
“Prison is just shocking for mental health, you know, traumatising,” says Jess. “What a difference that would have made if I'd gone into a place that was healing.”
Or Becca, who says: “You can put the most loveliest person and confine them and take them away from their comforts, you're not going to get positive out of that.”
“You can't put negative into something and expect to draw something positive out of that. We're social creatures. We belong in communities, we long for connection, like that's just how we're made up and I think that taking that away from people that need help is the most damaging thing to do.”
“To me justice looks like no prisons,” says Rangi. “A better system that will work to benefit people slipping backwards. But not taking those chances away from them when they fall over.”
Awatea Mita, 2022 teaching fellow at Te Herenga Waka Wellington University, says justice looks like people being heard, being offered pathways to healing, being acknowledged as experts in their own experiences.
“It means giving support to people so that they can live their best lives.”
To Ti Lamusse, co-founder of People Against Prisoners Aotearoa and criminology lecturer at Te Herenga Waka Wellington University, justice looks like a process where when someone causes harm, they are given the ability and resources to change so that they never do that again.
“Justice looks like to me, that victims are able to recover and flourish after surviving.”
“Justice looks to me like a society that deals with the sources of harm at its core, and that prevents harm before it's happening by addressing issues like housing and poverty, education and health care. Justice looks like a society where everyone, regardless of their backgrounds, can survive and thrive.”
To hear more stories from people who’ve been to prison in New Zealand, listen now to True Justice, a five-part podcast series that shares the stories of those who have been through our prisons, and advocates for a more just justice system in Aotearoa.
Where to get help:
- 1737: The nationwide, 24/7 mental health support line. Call or text 1737 to speak to a trained counsellor.
- Suicide Crisis Line: Free call 0508 TAUTOKO or 0508 828 865. Nationwide 24/7 support line operated by experienced counsellors with advanced suicide prevention training.
- Youthline: Free call 0800 376 633, free text 234. Nationwide service focused on supporting young people.
- OUTLine NZ: Freephone 0800 OUTLINE (0800 688 5463). National service that helps LGBTIQ+ New Zealanders access support, information and a sense of community.
- Alcohol Drug Helpline: call 0800 787 797 or free text 8681 for a free, confidential text conversation
- Alcohol Drug Māori Helpline: 0800 787 798 for advice and referral to kaupapa Māori services
- Alcohol Drug Pasifika Helpline: 0800 787 799 for advice and referral to services developed for Pacific people
- Alcohol Drug Youth Helpline: 0800 787 984 for advice and referral to services for young people
