Program Overview

Course Overview

The course CRIM 310, Prisons in Aotearoa New Zealand, examines issues of state punishment and incarceration in Aotearoa New Zealand. A central focus is the record growth in the country's prison population over the last four decades. These changes are viewed in relation to broader social issues of colonialism and post-colonialism, shifting public values and morality, and contemporary patterns of inequality. Alternatives to incarceration are evaluated and explored.

Course Details

• Dates: 23 February 2026 to 21 June 2026
• Starts: Trimester 1
• Fees:
  • NZ$1,156.00 for domestic students
  • NZ$5,893.60 for international students
• Lecture Start Times: Tuesday 1.10pm
• Campus: Kelburn
• Estimated Workload: Approximately 200 hours or 11.8 hours per week for 17 weeks
• Points: 20

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: 20 points from CRIM 200-299; one further 200-level course from Part A of the BA Schedule, LAWS, or PSYC
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: CRIM 3

Course Structure

The course is taught by the School of Social and Cultural Studies — Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Key Dates

Important dates, including mid-trimester teaching breaks, can be found on the University's key dates calendar. Assessment dates will be provided once the course has begun.

About This Course

The course is divided into sections that examine the social context for increases in the prison population, the relationship between colonization and state punishment, and alternatives to the current trajectory. These include constructing a parallel Māori justice system, replacing large centralized prisons with small regional facilities and habilitation centers, and developing community justice centers based on principles of restorative justice.

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Show familiarity with a range of scholarship on issues of state punishment and incarceration in Aotearoa New Zealand.
2. Critically analyze explanations for growth in the prison population over the last four decades.
3. Explain the social impacts of the New Zealand prison system.
4. Evaluate a range of alternatives to incarceration.

How This Course Is Taught

• In-person attendance is expected for lectures, with recordings available when this is not possible.
• Tutorials are available in person only.
• There is an in-class test to be completed in person.

Assessment

• In-class Test: 35%
• Reading Responses: 15%
• Scaffolded Research Process: 25%
• Essay: 25%

Mandatory Requirements

To pass this course, students must achieve an overall pass mark of at least 50% and make a credible attempt at all pieces of assessment.

Lecture Times and Rooms

Lecture times are from 23 February 2026 to 5 April 2026 and 20 April 2026 to 31 May 2026.

What You'll Need to Get

No specific texts or equipment are required for this course.

Disclaimer

This course outline may be subject to change.