Research out of the UK is saying structured sports programmes within prisons could help cut re-offending rates.

Last year, Rosie Meek, a professor in Criminological Psychology at Royal Holloway University in London, authored a report into sport in the youth justice system for the UK Government. 

While sport is traditionally seen as a recreational activity, but Meek has found that it can help people become less violent, to help prisoners develop better communication skills, and encourages them to go into further education once they are out of the system. 

Meek told Francesca Rudkin that prisons need to offer a variety of sport, including ballet and yoga, to appeal to a wide range of people. 

"Different people will have a different affinity with different activities. Some people will engage really well with football and rugby, but some people won't."  

She says that the sport may not be important, but the inspiration and skills gained from the activity. 

Meek says that team sports help prisoners learn how to communicate effectively and handle their emotions. 

"All of those are really important attributes in helping them get on with life in a positive way." 

Meek visited New Zealand in December, and has been working with Corrections and Sport New Zealand to help understand her plan. She says there is a "a great willingness" to try it, but New Zealand needs more structured programs.

"I felt still that there was more opportunities to develop, and the people I spoke to spoke of a willingness to use sport to change their lives for the better."