Prison upgrades, boosting police numbers and streamlining court processes are being funded as part of a "cohesive" Budget justice package.
The government says the various parts of the justice system must not work in isolation.
"A modern justice system depends on all parts working together effectively," says Police Minister Annette King.
The package includes $180 million over four years to fulfil the government's agreement with NZ First to boost sworn (1,000) and non-sworn (250) police numbers.
It also targets recruitment of Probation officers. Corrections will have $91.7 million at its disposal to recruit officers and ensure the infrastructure and support is in place to retain them.
The package also includes the already announced upgrade of Mount Eden Prison. Corrections Minister Phil Goff announced plans earlier this month to build a new jail on the site of the 1885 prison.
Expansion of the prison will allow Auckland prisoners to be kept in Auckland, addressing the problem of more than 2,000 prisoners being transferred into and out of Auckland each year to other regions due to insufficient beds, Goff says.
The announcement involves a capital investment of $216.3 million and operating expenditure of $35.6 million over the next four years.
Of that, this year's Budget will provide $110.3 million capital
funding between 2009/10 and 2011/12, and $13.6 million operating
funding over four years. Corrections will contribute the remaining
$106.0 million capital and $22 million operating from its own
funds.
Further justice related initiatives include:
*$14.9 million in operating and $2.3 million in capital funding to
increase the capacity and capability of Maori wardens.
*Auckland courts will get an extra $6.3 million over two years to
improve capacity and resource.
*An extra $4.7 million over four years for the Police Conducts
Authority
*Establishment of a sentencing council funded with $5.8 million
over four years to produce sentencing and parole guidelines.
*And $11.2 million in 2008/2009 for legal aid and a review of the
system.
