Originally Posted by
moka
Socio-economic factors contribute to crime such as drugs/alcohol, poor parenting, unemployment, family breakdown, poverty, and poor education.
The percentage of illiterate prisoners in New Zealand varies between 48% and 63%, depending on the study. Here are the specific findings:
In 2016, Corrections assessed more than 8000 of New Zealand's 9500 prisoners, with 63% deemed to be below a basic standard of literacy
Research from 2016 shows that at least half of New Zealand's roughly nine thousand prisoners are functionally illiterate
According to a report by the New Zealand Department of Corrections, prisoners are more likely to have high rates of illiteracy compared with the general population
A study cited by the Department of Corrections found that 48% of Māori and Pasifika prisoners (who together make up 62% of the prison population) have low levels of literacy and numeracy.
The New Zealand Howard League states that more than 60% of the prison population is functionally illiterate.