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More than 20,000 children have a parent in jail
according to a study on the needs of the children of inmates.
A Maori advocate for inmates says he agrees with the study's claim
that children of inmates are more likely to end up as prisoners too.
Prisons across the nation are filling with Maori -
they represent over 50% of the inmate population.
Studies show that children
who keep the bond with their imprisoned parent
are likely end up with the same fate.
But there are others who disagree.
When they visit their parents in jail,
all the wardens see are future offenders.
They can't play, they can't drink.
Now they're only kids, but in prison,
people treat them like mini criminals.
Workman has long worked with and researched inmates
and studied criminal cases.
He thinks that the Maori inmate population will rise.
Therefore, the question is asked, how do we bring about change?
I think that that's the best medicine -
for parents to see their children.
Workman also believes that there is only
a small population of Maori inmates who wish to change.
Te Aturangi Stewart, Te Karere.