Prisons - CathNews New Zealand

Man-Up programme has never been banned from prisons

admin — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 07:01:11 +0000

Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis has denied Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki's claims that the Government has stifled his attempts for the church to work in prisons.

He echoed comments made earlier by Justice Minister Andrew Little, who said Destiny had never actually made a formal application to partner with the Government to work in prisons.

"There have been no formal applications made to deliver the Man-Up or Legacy programmes in prison."

Tamaki wanted Destiny Church's Man-Up programme - an initiative focused on tackling family violence, depression, obesity, addiction and suicide - to be brought into prisons.

Last week Tamaki and 2000 others - including patched gang members - and presented a petition at Parliament urging the Government to allow the church to work within prisons.

"For all of my efforts to try and get into prison, they [the Government] shut us down," Tamaki told those gathered.

The Destiny Church says the Department of Corrections is breaching the Treaty of Waitangi by refusing to let it into prisons.

But Little said he wanted to talk with Tamaki about the programme and what he and the Government could do together.

Davis said in his statement that any community group or organisation wanting to offer a programme in prison is welcome to make a formal application in writing.

He said any organisation that wanted to help safely reduce the prison population should focus on preventing people from going to prison in the first place.

He said until there are no more drugs being baked, until there is no more domestic violence, and when people with addiction services are supported, there will be a need for churches in every community to "work their magic."

"No one needs my blessing to do that work."

Source

Man-Up programme has never been banned from prisons

Dearth of Maori rehab programmes in prisons questioned

admin — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 07:10:14 +0000

Less than a third of the country's prisons provide intensive Maori-focused rehabilitation.

That's despite Maori making up more than half of the country's prison population.

Former prisoners were calling for more Maori content across the board in prison.

Only five out of the country's 18 prisons offer Te Tirohanga, a rehabilitation course tailored for Maori which runs over a year-and-a-half.

It runs in five Maori focus units, and Department of Corrections' data shows it cuts recidivism rates by 4.6 percentage points, which the minister Kelvin Davis believes is a success by international standards.

However, of the 5000 Maori behind bars - only a few hundred can access Te Tirohanga each year.

Raiha Ellis worked in prison volunteering with Maori inmates for 10 years.

"I don't think there is enough Maori focus units and the teaching of Maori in our prisons - given of course we all know the highest percentage of inmates are Maori."

She was the chair of Te Ropu Kaiwhakamana, a group that visited inmates.

Mrs Ellis said kaupapa Maori rehabilitation helped the men she would visit.

Small Maori units are run at a handful of other prisons, and two offer Maori alcohol and drug rehab.

While all prisons offer programmes to strengthen Maori culture - they vary from site to site.

Former inmate Billy McFarlane has worked in jail.

"What I got to see in that time is the strength of our culture in changing men's thinking."

He now works with group of offenders. He said there was nowhere near enough Maoritanga in prison.

"They were not using enough Maori content," he said.

"The courses that we have in prison are either three days long, or eight weeks long and it's just not enough.

"I am dealing with the ones that are coming out of prison now that have gone through those programmes that are still failing big time."

Shane White from Hoani Waititi Marae in Auckland said there was huge demand for the tikanga programme they run in prison.

"Every time we go in there we are meant to pick up a group of 15 and we end up with 32."

He said a number of the Department of Corrections' programmes had little authentic Maori content.

It cherry picked the Maori content which suited it and the prison was not supportive of te ao Maori, he said. Continue reading

Image: Drug Foundation

Dearth of Maori rehab programmes in prisons questioned

Family breakdown is behind our high prison numbers

admin — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 07:54:42 +0000

I was born in 1951, at a time when New Zealand's crime and prison numbers were incredibly low, averaging one or two homicides a year until the early 1960s say Garth McVicar. So what went wrong? The one common denominator - that Mr Little and his colleagues won't dare talk about - is the traditional Read more

Family breakdown is behind our high prison numbers... Read more

Destiny Church's Brian Tamaki slams Government over prisons

admin — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 07:52:47 +0000

Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki is lashing out at the Government, saying its prison policy is "not working" - and accusing Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis of ignoring him. Read more

Destiny Church's Brian Tamaki slams Government over prisons

Salvation Army tells Andrew Little to put money where mouth is

admin — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 07:01:45 +0000

The Salvation Army is in favour of fewer people in prison.

They say the Minister of Justice, Andrew Little, should put his money where his mouth is and to scrap the planned mega-prison.

Rather than incarcerating people, the Salvation Army says the money is better spent on re-integration programmes.

Former Justice Minister Judith Collins has sent a warning to Andrew Little, saying victims of family violence aren't going to have the same protection if he changes the country's bail laws.

Collins said the "main driver" behind tightening bail laws was to protect victims of family violence.

In the last 20 years, prison numbers have doubled. Little wants to reduce the prison population by 30% over the next 15 years.

He says "tough-on-crime" style policies had not worked and it was a time for a shift in philosophy.

Harsher punishments and more prison beds were not bringing numbers down, Little told RNZ.

He said many prisoners had health and mental health issues and a proactive approach rather than prison was required.

The Salvation Army said Little's view was music to their ears.

"Often people that offend have mental health issues. And if all you're doing is investing in what is, in a sense, the punitive end of things, it's a backwards step in many respects", said Ian Hutson of the Army's social policy unit.

Collins however told Stuff that before Little talks about changing laws around violent offending, bail laws in particular, he needs to actually consider why they were put there in the first place.

Source

Salvation Army tells Andrew Little to put money where mouth is

NZ's Prison population has trebled since 1985

admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 16:02:00 +0000

Despite crime rates falling overall, the prison population in New Zealand has tripled since 1985 and is likely to reach a record 10,000 people next year.

Corrections is also unlikely to meet its composite target of reducing reoffending by 25 per cent by 2017. Post-prison reoffending rates have barely changed in the past 10 years.

The latest report by The Salvation Army's Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit Beyond the Prison Gate: Reoffending and Reintegration in Aotearoa New Zealand, argues the system is failing prisoners and the public.

"The prison gate has for too long been a revolving door rather than a transition into a second chance at life. Instead of being effectively rehabilitated and reintegrated into society, many prisoners on release become 'repeat customers'," says report author Annaliese Johnston.

The Salvation Army argues money should be diverted into rehabilitation programmes to try and reduce this number.

The report looks at the experiences of past inmates for a first-hand look at how the system impacts those who have been released and how things might be improved.

It makes several recommendations, including the formation of a cross-party strategy to reduce spending on custodial prison services and increase safety by reinvesting that money in strategies that reduce crime, better access to accommodation and health services, private-public partnerships to provide employment, and mentors.

Read the report

Source

NZ's Prison population has trebled since 1985

Methodist Mission begins literacy programme in prison

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 17:52:40 +0000

Dunedin's Methodist Mission has begun a literacy and numeracy programme at the Otago Corrections Facility in Milburn that it says is "much more powerful" than classroom learning.

The organisation began the courses at the prison this week, after winning a contract with the Department of Corrections.

Te Wananga o Aotearoa secured a contract to deliver programmes nationally, but Methodist Mission Southern took a contract to deliver intensive literacy and numeracy programmes at the prison. Continue reading

Methodist Mission begins literacy programme in prison

St Thomas's students want a voice for the voiceless

admin — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 18:02:43 +0000

A group of students from St Thomas of Canterbury College high school in Christchurch who created a detailed report on young people in custody in New Zealand say they wanted to be a voice for the voiceless. The six students from St Thomas of Canterbury College have produced a 40 page report based on data Read more

St Thomas's students want a voice for the voiceless... Read more

Samoa - 3 more join interdenominational prison ministry

admin — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 18:30:37 +0000

An interdenominational Christian Ministry, The Fortress of Faith, welcomed three newly qualified prison ministry spiritual counsellors at a ceremony at their Moto'otua base last Friday.

The Fortress of Faith founder, Ruta Poulos, told the Sunday Samoan that this is the second year of the programme.

The first training was conducted by Pastors from Hawai'i, the United States of America and Romania. This year, three local trainers and Counsellors facilitated the training.

"You'll be surprised but you'll find that many of the prisoners have been abandoned by their families so that they have nothing," said Ruta

"So part of our Ministry is not just counselling and providing prayers. We provide basic provisions like toothbrush, bars of soap, toothpaste, food and clothing to prisoners who have none.

"We have been amazed at how some of the things we take for granted every day are so appreciated by these prisoners.

"Yes they maybe criminals but at the end of the day, they are still people and God loves everyone."

Source

Samoa - 3 more join interdenominational prison ministry

Curry dream helped bishop's fast last

admin — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 18:05:27 +0000

While spending a week fasting in a makeshift prison to push for penal reform, it was the dream of a curry laksa that kept the Anglican Bishop of Wellington going. Bishop Justin Duckworth emerged from the prayer vigil for prisoners and associated victims yesterday and, after delivering a sermon, headed straight to a Ghuznee St Read more

Curry dream helped bishop's fast last... Read more

Catholic and Anglican archbishops say pray for our justice system

admin — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 18:30:39 +0000

The Roman Catholic and Anglican archbishops of New Zealand are inviting their churches to pray and discuss how the Christian gospel is foundational to the rights and needs of victims, offenders, and their families.

The archbishops, John Dew, Justin Duckworth and Philip Richardson (above) say a justice system, levels of offending, and victims' needs and rights, are often summed up through statistics when it is actually about people.

They say, victims have needs and rights and offenders also need to face what they have done and be reintegrated into society.

The leaders share a concern that while the crime rate is falling in New Zealand, the level of incarceration in prisons has increased in the past four years and rates of reoffending remain high.

The archbishops question whether prison is the effective remedy for all who offend to be able to turn their lives around.

Their request accompanies the prayer vigil for victims, prisoners and their families outside Wellington Cathedral of St Paul by the Anglican Bishop of Wellington, Justin Duckworth.

The archbishops went and prayed with Bishop Justin today and want to encourage conversations and awareness about the issue.

The archbishops believe the Christian community can express hope and influence across society.

They say while there have been some good initiatives taken to reduce reoffending by prisoners on release, we need to ask ourselves as churches and society if there is more that can be done for victims and offenders and so for the common good of all.

Source

Media Release NZCBC
Image: NZCBC

Catholic and Anglican archbishops say pray for our justice system

Suicide rate in NZ prisons 11 times higher than general population

admin — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 19:30:16 +0000

The suicide rate in New Zealand prisons is 11 times higher than in the general population - and, since 2008, more than 75 prisoners have died. The number of prisoners committing suicide has much to do with high rates of mental health problems combined with poor quality psychiatric care in prison. Doctors and nurses who Read more

Suicide rate in NZ prisons 11 times higher than general population... Read more

New senior Catholic Prison Chaplain appointed

admin — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:29:38 +0000

The appointment of Sister Veronica Casey PBVM to the role of Senior Catholic Prison Chaplain has been announced with the appointment effective 25 March.

"I'm pleased that Sr Veronica Casey PBVM has accepted this role and look forward to working with her in this capacity. I'd like also to take the opportunity to applaud the work of the Catholic prison chaplains who undertake this ministry in challenging circumstances, said Archbishop John Dew, President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference.

"Sr Veronica has a wide range of professional experience at managerial, advocacy and policy level, the foundations of which are gained in a very sound Catholic education followed by nursing training, and ongoing education and formation experiences with the Presentation Sisters. This background will be of great value in her new role as Senior Chaplain", said Archbishop John Dew.

Sr Veronica joined the Chaplaincy Service in 2007 and prior to that gained experience of the justice system through practicum visits to Mount Eden and Paremoremo Prisons as part of a Psychiatric Nursing Course, some pastoral experiences in prisons in Ireland as well as working in Victim Support and as a Restorative Justice facilitator.

"Having worked in prison chaplaincy roles as well as other work that is similar I'm looking forward to taking up this position and leading a team of chaplains who do valuable work in our prisons to make a real difference in the lives of inmates and their families in often trying circumstances", said Sr Veronica Casey

"Often the work of our chaplains is unknown to the wider community, but my experience in working with them is that they offer connection and a sense of community to people who very often feel alone and isolated from the rest of society", she said.

Educated by Dominicans and Mercy sisters, Sr Veronica nursed in New Zealand and overseas, and undertook senior administrative roles as a health professional before a Presentation Sisters' retreat marked the turning point in her life.

She made her final profession on 18 September 2012.

Source

NZCBC
Union of Presentation Sisters
Image: NZCBC

New senior Catholic Prison Chaplain appointed

Chaplain helps Whanganui prison inmates record CD of original music

admin — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:30:14 +0000

Whanganui prison chaplain, Home of Compassion Sister Litia, and local volunteer, John Scudder, have helped a group of inmates at the prison record a CD of original music.

While assisting the men spiritually, Sister Litia recognised they had musical talent and thought that talent could be used to address their behaviour.

The nine prisoners, using the name Urban Migration, have recorded Songs Down Pauri Road 2012, a collection of 16 songs they wrote and recorded in the prison. The title of the CD comes from the prison's location on Pauri Rd, Kaitoke.

Their songs are about their families and their dreams for the future.

They play all the instruments on the CD, and one of the prisoners designed the CD artwork.

Whanganui Prison acting manager Jan Smith says, "Music can bring self-reflection, which for some prisoners is the beginning of a process to change their behaviour. The prisoners in the group have used music as a way of expressing themselves, and to share their experiences."

Continue reading

Chaplain helps Whanganui prison inmates record CD of original music

Prisons moral and fiscal failure - English

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:30:28 +0000

It takes political courage to contradict the prevailing nostrums of the day, and National's deputy prime minister and Finance Minister, Bill English, is to be commended for doing just this. Opening a Families Commission's 50 Key Thinkers forum in May, Mr English referred to prisons as a moral and fiscal failure. In so doing he Read more

Prisons moral and fiscal failure - English... Read more

Vicar says new jail needs 800 volunteers

admin — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:30:28 +0000

A church that has opened its doors to women released from the Wiri women's prison says 800 volunteers are needed when a new men's jail opens next door - and it doesn't know where they will come from.

Volunteers from St Elizabeth's Anglican Church in Clendon have been visiting inmates in the 464-bed women's prison since it opened in 2006 because it is in their parish.

But vicar Mark Beale, who founded the church 23 years ago, does not know how it will cope with men from the neighbouring 1060-bed men's jail which has been given draft approval to open in April 2015.

"We'll have to cope because they are going ahead and building it, but it's a very daunting challenge," he said.

"A prison of 1000 would need 800 volunteers, so where are those 800 volunteers? A lot of the stuff in prisons is done by volunteers, and it should be because that creates the link to the outside community."

Source

NZ Herald
Image: Howick and Pakuranga Times

Vicar says new jail needs 800 volunteers

Prison chaplain Marie Roche honoured

admin — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 19:00:08 +0000

Sister Marie Roche received a civil honour at Queen's Birthday. She becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit after nearly half a century as a nun, including 15 years as Rimutaka Prison's Catholic chaplain. "I am very humbled by it because I look around and see all those wonderful people doing wonderful Read more

Prison chaplain Marie Roche honoured... Read more