A former inmate is anxious prisoner remand increases could hurt Maori communities

A 2013 law change designed to stop violent offenders from getting bail, has had an exaggerated impact on women, and Maori women in particular.

Since then, the number of Maori women held in remand has nearly doubled.

Patricia Walsh says the consequences of this are felt across generational divides.

She says women have integral roles that they need to play to ensure their whanau can stay strong.