Change NOW

A new year feels full of potential: we’ve spent time reflecting, making resolutions and plans for the year ahead. We’ve signed up for the gym deal in our new-found enthusiasm for healthy living. We’re buoyed by the new government and the hopeful Waitangi Day celebrations.

Three months in and I still feel the groundswell of belief that change is possible. I hope particularly that some of the benefits to be reaped will be seen in the justice system. As a young lawyer, my day-to-day mahi is in the courts: making bail applications, negotiating with prosecutors, defending my clients in trials, and advocating for a fair outcome in the sentencing process.

With this work comes a daily reminder of some of the issues that are reflective of the deeper problems in our society. Many of those before the courts suffer from mental health and/or drug and alcohol issues which would be better treated in a health setting without the sitgma and damage the criminal justice process can inflict. Our prisons are overflowing (with Māori disproportionately represented) despite the growing consensus that prisons come at a great social cost to the person imprisoned, their whānau, victims and the broader community, and fail to reduce recidivism.

The new government has a stated objective to reduce imprisonment by 30 per cent and they have plans to repeal at least one of the more egregious pieces of recent legislation – the so-called “three strikes regime”. But the real power lies with us: we can embolden political leaders to really change the criminal justice system. If New Zealanders across the country supported moves to reduce imprisonment and implement changes that would reduce harm by recognising that being “tough on criminals” and waging a “war on drugs” has failed, politicians would be empowered to make changes without fear of being seen as weak on law and order.

As a young woman working in the law, I often find myself coming up against barriers that feel old and immovable. I advocate to achieve the best outcome I can in the circumstances. Sometimes the circumstances are difficult. And in those moments, I draw on my involvement with JustSpeak to remind me that the barriers may be old but they are not immovable.

JustSpeak is an organisation of young (and young at heart) people speaking out and speaking up for changes in the criminal justice system based on evidence and lived experience. It began in 2011, set up by a small group of graduate lawyers, youth workers, high school students and criminology students under the guidance of Dr Kim Workman of Rethinking Crime and Punishment.

I had emerged from law school at Victoria University of Wellington, with a poorly defined but strongly held passion for justice. I had particular interest in issues that affect Māori and was learning more about my own Ngāti Hikairo whakapapa. While my first job as a judge’s clerk was interesting, I found myself thinking: “When do I get to start changing the world?” JustSpeak was born out of that urgency — of seeing the problems and wanting to get on and change things. Since then, JustSpeak volunteers have released several reports, held camps for young people to workshop alternatives, met MPs and Ministers, made submissions to Select Committees, held many public forums and debates, led a successful campaign to change the age of the youth court jurisdiction, presented at numerous conferences, workshops, schools and appeared in the media. JustSpeak draws on volunteers: students, lawyers, youth workers and ex-prisoners. We are powered by a belief that young people bring fresh, creative ideas, a sense of impatience to agitate for change and a positive conviction that in spite of the many obstacles, change can be achieved.

While summer is a time of hope and change, I want us to hold on to our current feeling of optimism for a better future. And if you find you’re not using your gym membership when autumn arrives, consider donating to or volunteering for an organisation committed to making the changes you want to see in the world.

Learn more about the work of JustSpeak and find out how to support the kaupapa — visit www.justspeak.org.nz. 

Tui Motu Magazine. Issue 224, March 2018: 26.