Prison numbers are rising, always have been, what to do?
Simon Bridges article is interesting https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/105577690/pushed-into-politics-by-crime-nat-leader-simon-bridges-is-the-sum-of-his-parts
While like many topics there is a political involvement, this thread is more about our ideas, not what either party will do.
My opinion is that there is a relationship between society and crime. If society creates more crime, more will be imprisoned. If we improved society less will be imprisoned. Easy to say, hard to do. Increasing sentences doesnt seem to stop crime. As Bridges said, if you reduce sentences to reduce prison numbers, you will get more crime as these people are free to act.
Set sentences that have a deterrent factor, if thats longer, lock them up for longer. Prison costs are a cost in a modern society. Also, work hard to help criminals refer, ONLY IF THEY GENUINELY WANT TO. Give a lot of support for this, but drop it like a rock if any criminal is playing with this tool.
Whatever my opinion created if implemented, just measures one cost of a modern society. Haves and have nots, temptation.