Abolitionist Demands: Toward the End of Prisons in Aotearoa
In Abolitionist Demands, we outline a number of material demands that take the path to prison abolition. The demands have been broken down into short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term, as well as into categories concerning policing, courts, and prisons. We recognise that some demands can be enacted through policy reform, while others will require a revolution in economic and social conditions. Readers are encouraged to take the demands and make them happen.
Torture in New Zealand Prisons: A Briefing
This booklet draws together the findings of reports made by the Office of the Ombudsman in its investigations of four New Zealand prisons. Using these reports, our researchers provide an account, in plain language, of the ongoing abuse and mistreatment of prisoners. Contextualising this information within historical trends, they also tell the stories of prisoners who have contacted us, reminding us how this treatment is a lived reality for far too many people. Together, these accounts demonstrate the disturbing but undeniable existence of widespread torture in New Zealand prisons.
Transformative Justice Workshop: Practical Ways of Solving Interpersonal Harm and Conflict in Our Communities
This booklet, made to accompany our workshops, outlines the guiding principles behind transformative justice and presents a brief but malleable plan for dealing with interpersonal harm in a way that does not involve incarcerating, punishing or isolating people. In a friendly, accessible tone, it includes answers to common questions about when and where transformative justice can be used, as well as links to community resources and toolkits. As it is made to supplement face-to-face discussion, we encourage readers to use the booklet as a starting point, discuss it with loved ones, and think about how you can apply them to your own community.
Solitary Confinement in New Zealand Prisons
Solitary confinement is the harshest form of punishment available in the New Zealand prison system. This report by People Against Prisons Aotearoa researcher Ti Lamusse outlines why its use in New Zealand prisons needs to end.
Letters from Lockdown
Letters from prisoners about their experiences in solitary confinement, compiled and illustrated.
smaller publications
Zines and other publications can be downloaded from the PAPA store for free or a donation of any size.
prisoner newsletter
Take No Prisoners is PAPA‘s official prisoner newsletter.
For any enquiries, please email newsletter@papa.org.nz or address a letter to:
Take No Prisoners coordinator
PAPA
PO BOX 5870
Victoria Street West
Auckland 1142
If you write in, please include your return address.
Issue 1: Solitary Confinement
Issue 2: COVID-19
Issue 3: Voting Rights
Issue 4: Election 2020 Debrief
Issue 5: Know Your Rights
Issue 6: Corrections Doesn’t Want You To Read This
Issue 7
Issue 8
Parliamentary and political advocacy
We also regularly write letters, provide feedback and make select committee submissions relating to the criminal justice system in Aotearoa. The submissions, letters and reports here provide detailed analysis of issues within the criminal justice system. They make recommendations aimed at achieving more just outcomes and beginning on a path towards ending mass incarceration in Aotearoa. The nature of our engagement with Government agencies is tactically focused on advancing the kaupapa by improving the material conditions of prisoners and preventing further incarceration, not colluding with a government that opposes these things.
The following have been prepared by People Against Prisons Aotearoa and No Pride in Prisons (our previous name):
- December 2024: Submission to the Social Services and Community Commitee on the Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serioues Youth Offending) Amendment Bill.
- December 2024: Submission to the Justice Select Committee on the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill.
- October 2024: Submission to the Justice Select Committee on the Sentencing (Reform) Amendment Bill.
- July 2024: Submission to the Justice Committee on the Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Bill.
- July 2024: Submission to the Social Services and Community Committee on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill.
- April 2024: Submission to the Justice Committee on the Parole (Mandatory Completion of Rehabilitative Programmes) Amendment Bill.
- December 2023: Submission to the NZ Royal Comission COVID-19 Lessons Learned | Te Tira Ārai Urutā.
- October 2023: Submission to the Justice Select Committee on the Ram Raid Offending and Related Measures Amendment Bill (2023).
- August 2023: Submission to the Justice Committee on the Corrections Amendment Bill (2023)
- May 2023: Submission to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee on the Immigration (Mass Arrivals) Amendment Bill (2023)
- September 2022: Feedback to Corrections on Discussion Document
- June 2022: Input to Ministry of Justice review of the Search and Surveillance Act (2012)
- February 2022: Open letter to justice sector leaders about covid in prisons, written with JustSpeak and Amnesty
- January 2022: Submission to the Justice Select Committee on the Three Strikes Legislation Repeal Bill
- September 2021: Letter to Police over the Tactical Response Model
- June 2021: Submission to the Justice Select Committee on the Counter-terrorism Legislation Bill
- March 2021: Submission to Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Budget Policy Statement 2021: Defund The Police
- December 2020: Briefing to the Incoming Ministers of Police, Justice, and Corrections
- September 2018: Submission to the Justice Committee on the Psychoactive Substances (Increasing Penalty for Supply and Distribution) Amendment Bill
- May 2018: Submission to the Justice Committee on the Corrections Amendment Bill 2018
- April 2018: Submission to the Health Committee on the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill
- June 2017: Submission to the Select Committee on the Family and Whānau Violence Legislation Bill
- March 2017: Submission to the Select Committee on the Children, Young Persons, and their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill
- October 2016: Submission to the Social Services Committee on the Social Security (Stopping Benefit Payments for Offenders who Repeatedly Fail to Comply with Community Sentences) Amendment Bill