The Alliance Party wants to reduce the use of prison and put greater emphasis on treatment, rehabilitation and restorative justice under its newly released Justice Policy.

The party is proposing habilitation centres for some offenders, the return of Community Care Orders, expanded publicly funded legal assistance and a new compensation body for victims of crime.

Alliance justice spokesperson and Ilam candidate Courtney Fraser said the condition of the court and prison systems was the result of political decisions.

“It’s hard to talk about criminal justice without talking about policy, because where we find ourselves today with incarceration, the lack of rehabilitation, and the lack of access to services, is down to public policy.”

The Alliance argues poverty, unemployment, inadequate housing, educational disadvantage and social exclusion contribute to offending. Its policy proposes greater investment in employment, housing, healthcare, education, mental health and addiction services as part of its crime prevention approach.

Fraser said the party rejected a justice system focused primarily on punishment.

“Our criminal law is still built around punishing the people who offend, and there is far too little for the victims of crime.”

Under the policy, imprisonment would remain available where necessary to protect the community, but the Alliance says it should not be the default response to offending.

The party would expand noncustodial sentencing, education and vocational training, addiction and mental health treatment, employment support and supervision in the community.

“The best thing we can do for victims is stop making new ones. Where the current approach is three strikes and out, ours is three strikes and into treatment,” Fraser said.

New Zealand’s current Three Strikes regime came into force on 17 June 2025. It applies to 42 specified serious violent and sexual offences where qualifying sentencing thresholds are met. Second and third strikes can trigger longer periods without parole, although judges retain discretion where the mandatory consequence would be manifestly unjust.

A key Alliance proposal is the establishment of habilitation centres as an alternative to imprisonment, particularly for young people and others whose offending could be addressed in the community.

The centres would provide education, vocational training, employment preparation, counselling, addiction treatment, cultural programmes and practical skills.

Community Care Orders would also return as a sentencing option, allowing residential or outpatient placements aimed at addressing factors contributing to offending.

Restorative justice would be expanded in appropriate cases, with the policy supporting community and marae based processes where suitable.

The Alliance also proposes funding iwi and Māori organisations to operate rehabilitation and restorative programmes.

For victims, the party would establish a Victim and Criminal Compensation Board overseeing financial assistance, counselling, support navigating the justice system and protection from further harm.

The Alliance also wants a review of legal aid with the aim of expanding publicly funded legal assistance.

Its proposals include increased legal aid, greater resourcing for Community Law Centres, an enhanced Public Defence Service and state funded community legal centres in areas without an existing service.

Prisons would remain publicly owned and operated, with the party opposing private prisons and commercial incentives linked to incarceration.

The policy also calls for more frontline police resources and stronger community policing, while proposing a review of police employment arrangements and structures.

Other measures include stronger laws covering corporate fraud, financial misconduct, misleading commercial practices and exploitation of vulnerable consumers.

The Alliance also wants to reinstate the ability to sue corporations or individuals over damage caused by emissions related climate change effects.

Fraser said the overall aim was to reduce offending and the number of people entering prison while providing greater support for those affected by crime.

“We’re all in this together on these tiny, faraway islands. We must close the gaps in our systems so none of us are left behind.”