'Proportionally larger impact': Theft penalties to drive up women’s prison numbers

RNZ12 Jun, 2026 10:26 PM3 mins to readThe number of women in prison is expected to surge 63% over the next decade. Photo / Cole Eastham-Farrelly, RNZThe number of women in prison is expected to surge 63% over the next decade. Photo / Cole Eastham-Farrelly, RNZBy Lauren Crimp of RNZThe number of women in prison is expected to surge 63% over the next decade, due to stronger punishments for theft.That’s compared to a predicted 35% increase in the total prison population.

The Ministry of Justice’s annual projections report