The purpose of the “Rethinking Crime and Punishment” project is threefold: 

Our intention is to inform the public of the basic facts and debate with them about the nature of crime and punishment.  Information must be targeted at a wide range of groups, including politicians, journalists, Maori and Pacific peoples, churchgoers, trade union members, broadcasters, the judiciary and many other lay and professional groups. The information should be conveyed through websites, publications, information packs and conferences.

One of our aims is to increase awareness of the alternatives to prison, and examine the most effective use of prison. We propose to support projects which investigate and promote alternatives to prison such as restorative justice and other community penalties through campaigns, conferences and seminars, as well as through detailed research and reports.

This project will support approaches which actively involve members of the public in the criminal justice and penal system.  The project will be aimed at such groups as business leaders, the judiciary, the families of offenders and community groups.  We will also publicise the ways in which volunteers can get involved in the criminal justice system.