corrections · inspector of corrections trevor longmuir outside christchurch men’s prison....
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C O R R E C T I O N S
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Corrections Works is published quarterly by the Department of Corrections
Private Box 1206 Wellington 6140
P 04 460 3365
www.corrections.govt.nz
ON THE COVER: Inspector of Corrections Trevor Longmuir outside Christchurch Men’s Prison.
C O R R E C T I O N Sfrom our Chief Executive
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Corrections NZ
2
Ray SmithCHIEF EXECUTIVE
CO N T E N T SJUNE 2017
from our Chief Executive
4 Day in the life of: Inspector of Corrections Trevor Longmuir
6 Minister’s employer breakfasts
7 Balancing security and rehabilitation at Auckland Prison
8 Alcohol and drug testing of offenders trial begins
9 Greymouth offender programme positively targets Māori youth
10 Pets profit from prisoner paintings
10 Reading reaps rewards
11 From our Minister
11 Fit for the job at Corrections
12 Regional highlights
16 Des Ripi – Te Pou Herenga Waka
At the end of May I was in Auckland for the Safeguard New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards.
It was an honour just to be nominated, but particularly pleasing to win the governance award for the best board level engagement in health and safety. We have made a great deal of progress in the area of health and safety,
thanks largely to our focus on leading health and safety from the executive level, so it was terrific to have this recognised by this award.
As you will see when you read Corrections Works, we take health and safety very seriously; we have to. Whether that’s introducing the new physical readiness assessment for our staff (page 11), ensuring the health and safety of staff on the construction site at Auckland Prison (page 7), or supporting the Office of the Inspectorate to investigate concerns from prisoners (page 4), it is always about reducing the risks that can exist in an organisation as large and diverse as ours.
As well as our 8,500 staff and the offenders we work with, there are many thousands of volunteers, contractors, staff from non-government organisations and other agencies
we engage with every day. The breadth of industries and individuals we work with is vast; the employers like Wildness Chocolate who take on offenders (page 14), Adult Learning Services on the West Coast (page 9), the volunteer librarians in Hawkes Bay (page 10), and Mr G, the artist in Paeroa (page 13). We may be diverse but we share a commitment to reduce re-offending, and make our communities safer places to live.
Lastly, I want to acknowledge Kaumätua and long serving Corrections staff member Des Ripi who passed away recently. On page 16, our Director Mäori Neil Campbell shares his memories of Des. Over the years, Des featured in many of Corrections’ publications, including this magazine. He was at the forefront of many of our most important initiatives and a stalwart in our ongoing efforts to reduce re-offending among Mäori. He shall be greatly missed and fondly remembered. ■
3CORRECTIONS WORKSDEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Day in the life of: Inspector of Corrections Trevor LongmuirCorrections’ Prison Inspectorate has expanded. Now known as the Office of the Inspectorate, we have six new inspectors to conduct regular ‘free and frank’ prison reviews. The inspectors also identify emerging risks and highlight innovation and good practice.
What does a Corrections’ Inspector do?A big part of the role is routine prison visits where I have face-to-face contact with prisoners, staff and management. Each visit starts with a management briefing and ends with an inspector’s debrief. Then I write a report that records any issues of concern. This year, my team of three inspectors will do about five routine prison visits.
We also do ad-hoc visits and review serious incidents as directed. Another major part of being an inspector is death in custody investigations. Reports are submitted to the Chief Executive and the Coroner’s Office and we often have to speak at inquests and answer questions regarding our reports.
+ Inspector of Corrections Trevor Longmuir busy working on a report.
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+ Inspector of Corrections Trevor Longmuir interviewing a prisoner.
We give advice to prison directors and other staff on policy, operations and legislation.
We have an 0800 service for prisoners, community offenders and the general public, so we take calls, and monitor our email address [email protected].
Occasionally, offenders in the community make a complaint; these complaints require the same degree of investigation and reporting as any other complaint we receive.
What did you do before becoming an inspector?I started with the Department of Justice in 1984 at Auckland Prison as a prison officer. Over the years, I was a unit manager and acting site manager at Auckland Prison, an Auckland Central Remand Prison monitor, and I did a secondment to national office as Team Leader Operational Support. I’ve been an Inspector for 12 years.
What’s your favourite part of the job?I enjoy the variety of work. One week you can be out visiting a prison and talking with a variety of people, and the next week you can be in the office writing a report without having spoken to anyone, unless of course the chief inspector’s ringing to give me more work!
I also enjoy working with my colleagues in the Inspectorate team. We support each other but also have autonomy.
What’s the most challenging part of the job?We work in a challenging environment. Complaints by their very nature have a negative connotation and many of our complainants can be aggressive and have unrealistic expectations. In the 2015/2016 financial year, there were 1,058 formal complaints, of which 38 were found to be justified.
Any advice for someone wanting to be a Corrections Inspector?You need a sound knowledge of the department’s processes and the ability to see the big picture as well as the detail. You need a personal philosophy that all prisoners and offenders have the right to be treated with respect and have entitlements that are governed by legislation and policy. It’s our job to ensure each complaint or investigation is done without prejudice and with integrity and professionalism.
New Chief Inspector appointedNew Chief Inspector Janis Adair will oversee the expanded Office of the Inspectorate from early July. Having worked for the Independent Police Complaints Authority and the Ombudsman, Janis has extensive investigative experience.
Her work with the Ombudsman was in the prison team and included investigations of prisoner complaints. Most recently she has been in the United Kingdom working on the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.
Inspectors are guided by Healthy Prison Standards based on the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
5CORRECTIONS WORKSDEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
“I was thinking, how will I earn money if I don’t do crime and then I thought, I suppose I could get a job (laughter). I hadn’t ever had a job so I never really considered it before.”
A former offender and gang member talking to a room of business leaders is not something you see every day, but that’s what happened at Corrections’ employer breakfast hosted by the
Minister of Corrections Hon Louise Upston on 19 April 2017 in Hamilton. Stacey* has turned his life around to become an employed and respected member of the community.
Full time employment can help reduce re-offending, but it takes a motivated offender and an open-minded employer.
Corrections’ Central Regional Commissioner Terry Buffery says, “Stacey’s story highlights that many of the people in our care have lived a very different life. The exposure they get at Corrections to basic life skills, programmes, numeracy and literacy, and trades and qualifications can change the course of their lives and reveal a future they never imagined.”
Employer breakfasts are an opportunity for Corrections staff to talk to industry representatives around the country about the benefits of hiring ex-offenders.
Terry says, “We want to strengthen existing relationships with local employers and create new links. By highlighting the
training we offer and our free recruitment service, we hope to secure more employment opportunities for offenders.”
Corrections has more than 100 Memoranda of Understanding with employers who’ve committed to offer jobs for around 1,000 offenders each year. In the past five months, Corrections’ offender recruitment consultants have placed 312 offenders into employment nationwide. As well as doing the groundwork to find the right person for the job, our Employment Support Service provides up to six months in-work support to help ex-offenders get and keep their jobs.
There is also help available for offenders who’ve been offered a job but face financial barriers to starting work. These could be the need to purchase tools, safety equipment, extra training, work boots, licences or even a bike to get to work. Whatever the financial barrier, Corrections’ Employer Starter Packs will provide up to $1,500 to help reduce or remove these barriers so they can accept those jobs.
A second employer breakfast was held in Christchurch on 16 May and a third in Wellington on 20 June. ■
*Name changed to protect his privacy.
+ Minister Upston at the employer breakfast in Christchurch.
Minister’s employer breakfasts
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The new $300 million maximum security facility at Auckland Prison is taking shape – a unique and progressive shape.
As the only maximum security prison in New Zealand, the new facility will securely house 260 of the country’s most disturbed and forensically challenged prisoners. Its design
balances the need for robust security with the need to provide treatment and rehabilitation.
Prison Director Andy Langley says the new prison is far more than concrete and razor wire; it will mean a new way of managing prisoners with high needs through an enhanced model of care. Each unit features its own health and programme rooms, so prisoners will have greater access to staff, treatment, education and rehabilitation. “Staff from different disciplines will work more closely together and link in with mental health experts at the Mason Clinic. We can come together to assess a prisoner’s needs and security classification faster and begin their rehabilitation sooner.”
The need for better access to rehabilitation has been balanced by the need for the prison to be highly secure. The safety of the public, staff and prisoners has been central to the plans for the redevelopment.
In May a construction milestone was reached when the new master control room was completed so Corrections could begin installation of the electronic security systems.
Once complete, electronic security will include over 1,200 cameras, 900 intercoms, four x-ray machines, 400 controlled doors and a couple of kilometres of perimeter detection fences. Scheduled for completion at the end of 2017, the system represents the peak of Corrections’ prison security with a number of features unique to the maximum security prison. ■
Balancing security and rehabilitation at
+ Auckland Prison’s new maximum security facility is taking shape.
Auckland Prison
7CORRECTIONS WORKSDEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Helping RecoveRing offendersAlongside the new alcohol and drug testing, Corrections is offering more support to offenders and prisoners with addictions. Recent initiatives include:
> RecoveRing 0800 alcohol and drug support line for offenders and prisoners. Launched on 24 May, this 24/7 support line offers advice, a brief needs assessment and crisis support. Calls are answered by experienced registered alcohol and drug practitioners.
> Alcohol and other drug aftercare workers: Based in our Drug Treatment Units, around 14 aftercare workers offer ongoing maintenance support to prisoners, including when they leave prison. This service started in July 2016.
> Additional beds in residential treatment facilities: Corrections is funding 13 additional beds for community-based offenders with significant alcohol and drug needs.
These initiatives complement Corrections’ existing services, including our six Drug Treatment Units and the brief interventions offered by our probation officers and case managers.
RecoveRingAlcohol and drug support line
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On 16 May, legislation went live that allows Corrections and Police staff to require community-based offenders and defendants on bail with an abstinence condition to submit to alcohol and drug testing.
Alcohol and drug testing of offenders trial begins
The two-year trial, which will run in the Northern Region only, was officially launched by Minister of Police Hon Paula Bennett and Minister of Corrections Hon Louise Upston on 23 May.
“This new legislation allows Corrections and Police to monitor and test offenders and people on bail with conditions imposed by Courts or the Parole Board not to consume alcohol or drugs. It allows staff to target those with the highest risk of causing alcohol-related harm with more intensive testing and monitoring,” said Ms Bennett.
The main form of testing is urine testing. Police are also using breath testing throughout the country. Urine tests can be random or because the probation officer suspects the offender may have been drinking or taking drugs.
Those offenders/defendants with the highest risk of causing alcohol-related harm may be fitted with an alcohol detection anklet. The anklets detect alcohol in sweat and provide evidence that the person has consumed alcohol. They are not a ‘real-time’ monitoring tool, and do not monitor the person’s whereabouts, but they give a probation officer evidence about whether an offender has complied with their abstinence condition or not. The probation officer can then take the appropriate action – anything from referring the offender to more treatment to recalling them to prison. Corrections and Police are trialling about 50 alcohol detection anklets over the two-year trial period.
+ Alcohol detection anklet.
Following the trial, an evaluation will determine the most effective testing technologies and testing frequencies to inform a national roll-out.
The trial kicked off on 16 May at two Corrections sites: Otara Community Corrections and Manurewa Community Corrections. The trial will run at these two sites for 10 weeks before being rolled out to the rest of the Northern Region. ■
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A partnership between Corrections and West Coast Adult Learning Services saw eight young offenders on community work sentences learn skills to help them stay out of trouble and gain employment.
The two-day, Mäori Youth Programme helps youth obtain a driver’s licence, pull together their NZQA Record of Learning (ROL), create a CV and learn how to write a job application letter. This year,
they’re also learning cooking and carving skills.Four tutors from West Coast Adult Learning Services and
staff from West Coast Community Corrections worked with the young people.
“Youth are often a hard group to engage in their sentence,” says Greymouth Community Work Supervisor Patrick Moloney. “But the response was extremely positive. Everyone fully participated and gained useful employment and life skills.”
“Research shows that employment helps people maintain a crime-free life,” says West Coast Service Manager Kelly Hill.
“A key part of the programme is getting the youth driver licences. Driving illegally is a common path for youth to get themselves into a cycle of offending. A licence helps them stay on the right side of the law, and increases their chances of getting a job and getting to work so they can keep that job.”
Barry* had always driven without a driver’s licence and is on sentence for driving related offences.
Barry says he knows that “driving without a licence is really stupid” but with no public transport in rural areas he says, “You do what you have to, to get around. Getting my licence and CV together is amazing. I feel so proud of myself.”
Greymouth offender programme positively targets Māori youth
+ The beginnings of a carving
+ Master Carver Hohepa Barrett supervises students in the carving workshop.
Barry is looking for a job and can now consider a wider range of options.
A highlight of the programme was the arrival of Westport Master Carver Hohepa Barrett. He began by helping the youth on their karakia, waiata and mihi and then taught them basic carving skills.
West Coast Adult Learning Services will continue to work with Corrections to support these students beyond the programme. ■
*Not his real name.
9CORRECTIONS WORKSDEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Wanting to try a different approach to ‘bib and bucket’ fundraising led Waikato SPCA Auxiliary Chair Judi Wells-Henderson to volunteer at Spring Hill Corrections Facility.
READING REAPS REWARDS
A team of five volunteer librarians has been making a difference to the literary lives of prisoners at Hawkes Bay Regional Prison since September last year.
Every fortnight two librarians run a book club in the prison.
“We’re big on outreach,” says Hastings District Libraries Programmes and Promotions Coordinator Carla Crosbie. “It’s not just about the men, it’s also for their families. No matter where they go, we hope they’ll make connections with their local library.”
Book club sessions involve a discussion about what they’re reading, and everyone has their say. Volunteers bring along a selection of books, some the men have requested.
Programmes and Promotions Assistant Judith McKinnon says, “There’s a benefit in reading fiction in particular as it encourages empathy and develops understanding about different types of people. It’s great to see a big hulking guy talking about a Maeve Binchy book he’s read!”
Non-fiction books on a range of topics are also read and discussed. “Mark Hunt’s autobiography is popular at the moment, and some like to read about woodworking or painting techniques,” says Judith.
Carla says, “For us it’s about promoting the public library as a place for them to belong and find information. Since we‘ve been undertaking outreach in the prison we’ve had a noticeable increase in recently released prisoners coming in to join or re-join the library.” ■
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Pets profit from prisoner paintings
+ Judi Wells-Henderson guides one of her art students.
+ Volunteer librarians (L to R) Nigel Nichol, Veronica Hogan, Katrina Hinton, Carla Crosbie and Judith McKinnon at the Hastings War Memorial Library.“I
heard there were some talented artists at Spring Hill,” says Judi. “I asked if they would like to donate some of their art to a fundraising exhibition for the SPCA if I provided the materials.”
Judi’s project was approved. Two men initially volunteered, but by the time the exhibition was due to open, 22 men had submitted work. Opening night was a big success, and Judi says the variety of work impressed those who attended.
“At a morning tea following the exhibition, at which I presented letters of appreciation to the contributing artists, I was asked to run a painting class.”
The men choose what to paint. “There’s a huge variety. It can range from ethnic or traditional design to religious artwork,” says Judi. “They also paint from childhood memories, pets, or something they’ve seen on TV or in a magazine.
“We’re currently working towards our third exhibition, which is being held at the SANDZ Gallery in Frankton from 4 to 11 July 2017.” ■
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From our MinisterI have been Corrections Minister for six months, and I can tell you it has been a packed six months.
FIT FOR THE JOB AT CORRECTIONSIn April 2017, Corrections
introduced a ‘physical readiness assessment’ (PRA) for frontline prison staff. The assessment ensures that all prisoner-facing staff are fit enough to do their jobs safely and to respond quickly in emergencies.
The PRA takes around 10 minutes to complete and closely mirrors the tasks of a corrections officer – including the bending and lifting required to search a cell, running to an incident, and ‘rescuing’ a colleague by dragging a 50kg dummy ten metres.
As of late May, around 300 staff nationwide had completed the assessment.
The PRA was the result of a suggestion from the Staff Safety Expert Advisory Panel, and feedback from Corrections’ staff engagement survey. Staff said they wanted to be sure they could rely on each other in an emergency.
Tailored support packages are available for the small group of staff who may need help to improve their fitness in order to complete the PRA. ■
Corrections is always in the public spotlight and two things above anything else always stand out for me. The first is
that Corrections staff are what makes the department. The other is that it’s a department that is always finding new ways to work that make the community, staff and prisoners safer.
A focus of mine since becoming Minister has been more transparency about what goes on inside our prisons. That’s one of the reasons the Corrections Inspectorate has been strengthened with a package of measures designed to increase transparency and provide assurance on the running of our prisons. The Inspectorate (see story on page 4) is a critical part of the oversight of the Corrections system. This is a positive move that will improve public understanding and confidence in Corrections.
Corrections staff will already be aware of the close scrutiny the department as a whole receives. As I visit more prisons and Community Corrections sites I see the fantastic work of individual staff and the positive
difference they are making in the lives of offenders.
As Corrections’ workload grows under a high prison population, so too do staff numbers. I have attended two graduations of more than 100 new Corrections staff this year and they have been moving events. I am always struck by the enthusiasm and optimism of our newest Corrections staff.
Corrections has been doing fantastic work in the training and education space. I’m pleased to be involved in a series of business breakfasts where employers are being urged to consider former offenders as employees. This is a great example of the evolution of the department in the way it cares for offenders (see story on page 6).
Corrections has now signed its 100th memorandum of understanding with an employer. Already I’m seeing positive stories about the lives of former prisoners being changed for the better through the security and stability of regular work and income. ■
Hon. Louise UpstonMINISTER OF CORRECTIONS
11CORRECTIONS WORKSDEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
SIGN LANGUAGE OPENS DOORS TO OFFENDER REINTEGRATION
It was New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week from 8 to14 May 2017. Our third official language is alive and well, and successfully being used at Panmure Community
Corrections, as well as other Auckland sites.Leading this initiative is Panmure Probation Officer
Kirsty Herbert, who has completed a three-year degree in NZSL and Deaf Studies at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), and graduated in 2013 with a BA in Criminology and Deaf Studies.
Kirsty is currently supporting a Deaf* 18 year old community-based offender, who is originally from Tuvalu. He uses NZSL as his main form of communication and he and Kirsty are able to sign to each other.
“Since I started working with this offender, he has really come out of his shell. I put that down to the ease of our conversations and him feeling comfortable using his first language to express himself,” says Kirsty.
Thanks to Kirsty’s dedicated support, the offender, who was previously unemployed with no work experience and poor literacy skills, is now in full-time employment as an aluminium installer. His employer is also Deaf and communicates in NZSL.
The young man has obtained his certificate in Construction Site Safety and is working towards a tertiary qualification. ■
*Deaf refers to someone who is culturally Deaf. They use NZSL as their main form of communication and identify as being part of the Deaf community.
+ From unemployed to employed: the young offender at his new job.
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NRCF ARTWORKS BENEFIT WORTHY CAUSES
A unique artistic collaboration will benefit two charities and give Northland Region Corrections Facility (NRCF) prisoner artists the opportunity to give back to the community through their art.
The ‘Limit:less’ exhibition, which ran from 7 April to 4 May 2017 at NorthTec’s Geoff Wilson Gallery in Whangarei, explored the creative process within constraints (such as prison).
Four prisoner artists worked with four professional artists and four former NorthTec art students to push the boundaries of their creativity. The prisoner artists also had a taste of having their work formally critiqued by career artists.
“Prisoners’ rehabilitation is improved by access to art tutors, programmes and projects,” says Northern Regional Commissioner Jeanette Burns.
“The offenders also have the chance to work towards recognised qualifications that prepare them for employment once they’re released.”
One of the prisoner’s works, ‘Sub-conscious Vandalism’, incorporated rap lyrics into a graffiti-inspired artwork.
*John says he used to get chased for his illegal graffiti and tagging. Now, his art was raising funds for worthy causes.
“Even though we’re behind barbed wire, there are no limits to one’s thoughts, memories, and ideas. So, I can freely give expression to my creativity despite being in prison,” says John.
The ‘Limit:less’ exhibition was the brainchild of Director of Redemption Arts and Education Services and NRCF Art Tutor Beth Hill, and the professional artists included Hamish Oakley-Browne and Piet Nieuwland.
Proceeds of any sales of the prisoners’ work will go to Quarry Arts Trust and Te Ora Hou, as well as towards supplies for the art programme at NRCF. ■
*Not his real name.
+ Truth and Dreams, an artwork by NRCF prisoner Jahmez was bought by Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai.
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TONGARIRO NURSERY ‘BURSTING AT THE SEEDS’
The nursery at Tongariro Prison is currently ‘overgrown’ with 13,000 new trees and shrubs awaiting relocation as part of our work for the Department of Conservation (DOC).
The seeds, provided by DOC, are germinated and grown by prisoners as part of the industries training programme. The prison has recently employed a horticulture instructor who is gaining NZQA trainer qualifications and will be able to offer certification to the prisoners.
According to Professor of Pasture Science at Massey University Peter Kemp, NZ's horticulture industry is desperate for more qualified professionals, and the industry earns five times the export dollars per hectare than dairying.
The skills gained by the prisoners would translate well to most commercial nursery environments in an industry that already employs 50,000. It is predicted that by 2025, 15,000 more positions will need to be filled.
Once DOC has identified an area for planting, community work parties from the prison often help prepare the site by weeding, clearing stumps, digging holes and laying matting so DOC volunteers can do the planting.
+ Mr G puts the finishing touches on his mural at Paeroa Farmlands.
+ Plants in the Tongariro nursery.
SCOOP FOR PAEROA COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
An initiative by the Paeroa Community Corrections’ team could benefit offenders across the country.Kiwi born international artist Graham Hoete, better known as ‘Mr G’, is travelling rural NZ as
part of the Farmlands HeART project. The project honours farming communities through 15 unique murals on the walls of local Farmlands stores.
“I thought it would be great if Mr G could talk to our offenders. The Farmland project is about instilling pride into small farming communities and I think our offenders could use a bit of that pride too,” says Service Centre Manager Jennifer Dorofaeff.
The offenders were fully engaged in Mr G’s talk, back-dropped by his powerful mural capturing the local landscape and reflecting the history of farming in Paeroa.
He shared the message that you have to work hard to get what you want. With gang members on both sides of his family, Mr G said he could have easily have ended up offending, but instead he chose to work hard at what he loves and now his life is ‘amazing’.
“We also used the visit as part of our literacy and numeracy class. We visited and then we read the news and reviews of his work as part of the programme,” Jennifer says.
Mr G and Farmlands suggested replicating the initiative at other Community Corrections sites including Invercargill and Puturaru, the next two stops on the tour. ■
13CORRECTIONS WORKSDEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
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RELEASE TO WORK – SWEET!
Prisoners are gaining work experience through local organic chocolate company Wildness Chocolate.Wildness Chocolate has been partnering with Corrections for the past year, employing prisoners
at Rimutaka and Arohata prisons to help make packaging. In addition, Wildness Chocolate owner Marie Monmont is currently employing a prisoner at Rimutaka Prison. Once a week she works alongside him to package chocolate.
Many prisoners have limited work experience and less than half of the prison population was in paid employment before coming into prison. Having sustainable work after being released can help people to turn their lives around and reduce the likelihood of re-offending.
“Many of the men doing this particular work are extremely difficult to find job placements for. Working with Marie has given them the opportunity to get work experience and prove to themselves they can do it,” says Release to Work Case Manager Aleigh Paramore. “It’s really helped their work ethic and they value having someone believe in them.”
Marie says, “One of the favourite parts of my work is packaging the chocolate with the men and women working with me in prison. My business is all about being sustainable – being good for the environment and people.”
Joey* has just started working with Marie at Rimutaka Prison. “Unemployment and social skills can be some of the biggest challenges on the outside,” says Joey.
“I’m enjoying this job because I can fill in my time with really interesting work.” ■
*Name has been changed.
+ Wildness Chocolate owner Marie Monmont with her employee at Rimutaka Prison.
WHANGANUI PRISON EXPO AIDS REINTEGRATION
Housing, employment, financial assistance and family health were some of the topics discussed at a pre-release and reintegration expo held for prisoners nearing release at
Whanganui Prison recently.
Acting Assistant Prison Director Deb Griffiths says the purpose of the expo was to assist prisoners with their successful transition into the community.
“We brought a number of agencies and providers together to ensure the men know about the services and support available to them now, before they are released.
“Many people on both sides of the wire are involved with helping a prisoner transition into the community. This includes those who help get the men work-ready with a current CV and interview tips among other things.
“Having strong community involvement and engagement after release can make all the difference.”
Forty-five prisoners attended the expo and spoke to 14 community agencies including Ministry of Social Development, Salvation Army Reintegration Service, PARS, Workwise, Healthcare NZ, iwi health and youth-based organisations.
The expo was well-received by prisoners and agencies, with one agency representative saying “… thank you for hosting us. I really enjoyed the opportunity to proactively work with the men and discuss their housing needs after release.” ■
+ Corrections assists prisoners with their reintegration needs.
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+ Women gardeners using their skills to make the prison grounds more attractive.
+ Canterbury offenders harvesting the first taewa crop.
HORTICULTURE SKILLS GROW AND BLOSSOM
Women at Christchurch Women’s Prison are making a difference to their environment while gaining skills that could benefit them on their release.
Prison Director Wayne McKnight says, “Under the guidance of our Horticulture Instructor Cath Sharp and her team, our grounds are beautifully maintained and the vegetable and flower gardens have literally blossomed.”
The prison gardeners are part of a horticulture programme offering an opportunity to learn about plants for food and pleasure, while gaining NZQA unit standards. The women learn to propagate seeds, maintain lawnmowers and weed eaters, and operate ride-on mowers.
The women have also introduced a composting programme, recycling the prison food waste into fertiliser for the gardens. Produce from the large vegetable garden is donated to the Salvation Army and supplements the prison kitchens.
Cath is proud of the progress the women are making. “There are plenty of opportunities for people who
know about horticulture principles, and these roles aren’t restricted to the cities or towns,” says Cath.
Jess* is one of the gardeners and has achieved her Horticulture Level 2 while in prison. She has also completed extra horticulture assignments through the Open Polytech.
Jess is looking forward to release in the next few months and hopes to get a horticulture-related job. She has a particular interest in culinary and medicinal herb growing. She says she had done some gardening before prison, but never thought about gaining qualifications or pursuing it as an employment opportunity.
“I have foetal alcohol syndrome and find it hard to learn,” Jess explains. “Doing the courses in a hands-on practical way has made it easier for me to learn.” ■
* Not her real name
POTATOES BENEFIT FROM PARTNERSHIPOffenders undertaking a Work and Living Skills programme in Canterbury will be part of a two-year research project to develop commercial seed lines of organic taewa, Mäori potatoes. Canterbury Community Corrections has partnered with Lincoln University and Koukourarata Marae to deliver practical basic horticultural skills with a tikanga focus. Offenders are encouraged to reconnect with the land while gaining valuable employment skills.The first harvest of the taewa took place in early April (pictured). In 2016, 5,907 hours of work and living skills programmes were provided to offenders on community work sentences in Canterbury.
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Corrections Works is published quarterly by the Department of Corrections.Private Box 1206, Wellington 6140, New Zealand Phone 04 460 3365 Email [email protected]
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Desmond Tihema Ripi was by all accounts, a very humble and simple man. He, like many of his generation, came from humble and simple beginnings.
His life, however, was dedicated to serving others in ways that are far from simple. It is service that Des was acknowledged for when he was presented with a Queen’s Service Medal in 2006.
He would often joke with me that the QSM after his name meant a “Quick Sharp Mäori”.
I first started working with Des close to quarter of a century ago when I was a corrections officer at Paremoremo Prison and he was the cultural officer there.
In that way Des was a true pioneer of what has ultimately developed into the department’s Mäori Services Team, and the many transformations that have occurred within the cultural space within this organisation over time.
To give some context to that, the cultural extent of our responsiveness at that time meant that his role was responsible for things like ensuring there was a guitar for prisoners at their kapa haka practices. How things have progressed since then!
Every great journey has to start somewhere though and Des was one of those who carved out a pathway for those of us who would follow.
We worked together as regional advisers Mäori services for Auckland and Mt Eden prisons respectively, and continued to work together through a number of restructures within the Mäori services space. He was a valued and integral member of our team right up until the time of his death. + Senior Adviser Mäori Des Ripi (far left)
Des was the mooring post to which many of us tethered our canoes. An anchoring point. A safe haven when waters were turbulent. A repository of knowledge where one could replenish and prepare for the next stage of the journey – Te Pou Herenga Waka.
One of the many pearls of wisdom that Des left us with was a saying that Mäori services now use as our whakatauki – Kahore tetahi o tatou, taea te mahi, nga mahi e taea o tatou katoa. Not one of us alone can do the job as well as all of us working together.
Moe mai e te Pou Herenga Waka. Moe mai … Whakata. ■
Kaumātua and colleague Koro Des Ripi sadly passed away on 11 April 2017. Des had a long and proud history with Corrections since 1993, and was the driving force behind many Māori initiatives. Following is a tribute to him from Corrections’ Director Māori Neil Campbell.
+ Senior Adviser Mäori Des Ripi
DES RIPI – Te Pou Herenga Waka