be diagnosed with a mental health or substance abuse disorder than the general population within the last 12 months. 87% of the prison population had been diagnosed with at least one substance abuse disorder, including alcohol abuse and drug dependence. Common mental health diagnoses within the prison population included mood disorders (32%), personality disorders (about 33%), and comorbidity (42%). Prisoners were four times more likely to attempt suicide and twice as likely to experience suicidal ideation than the general population. All prisoners are screened for mental health and substance abuse disorders; those who meet specific criteria have options for treatment and intervention that can help with rehabilitation. Violence in prisons In April 2015, a 44-year-old inmate, Benton Parata, died in Christchurch Men's Prison after being bashed by three other prisoners. An expert on gangs in New Zealand, Dr Jarrod Gilbert, said revenge attacks could "snowball" out of control while the prison officers' union said assaults in New Zealand prisons already occurred almost daily and it was only "good luck" there weren't more deaths. Recidivism In March 2009 analysis of the previous 60 months, showed that 70% of prisoners reoffend within two years of being released from prison and 52% return to prison within five years (some of them more than once). For teenage prisoners, the recidivism rate (return to prison) is 71%. The government estimated that if it reached its reduced reoffending target of 25%, there would be 600 fewer people in prison by 2017. In 2014, prison numbers went up (to 8,700) rather than down, due to more offenders being held on remand. See also List of correctional facilities in New Zealand Corrections Association of New Zealand New Zealand Parole Board New Zealand Probation Service Law enforcement in the Pitcairn Islands#Prison officers References External links New Zealand Public Service departments Law enforcement in New Zealand Prison and correctional agencies Penal system in New Zealand