Why do Māori die 10 years earlier?
In Merepeka's Raukawa-Tait's column about Maori health (Opinion, May 18 ) she says, "Health experts say there are gross inequities in the [health] system caused by institutional racism".
We all want to see Māori in good health, of course, and don't like institutional racism but what is the reason that they die 10 years earlier (Raukawa-Tait's words) than Pakeha New Zealanders?
Douwe Visser
Lynmore
Prisoners are paid and learn new skills
In response to Jim Adams (Letters, May 19), having consulted to prisons for many years, who does the work in the prison system?
A prison is called by Goffman a closed institution. The laundry, cleaning, meal preparation and most maintenance is carried out by inmates who are paid.
In fact, the new prison block at Paremoremo was built on site by inmates, with prison supervision.
They learned skills to advance their own careers when released. There are numerous trade training and educational courses available to inmates.
Hear the good news about prisons in New Zealand too.
Anthony Lipanovic
Lake Rotoehu
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