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CORRECTIONS SEPTEMBER 2017
Connect with
Corrections
FOLLOW US:
@correctionsNZ
Corrections NZ
COR R EC T IONS
This month
in Corrections
Corrections Works is published Works we look
quarterly by the Department at a new alcohol
of Corrections and drug testing
trial underway
Private Box 1206 Wellington 6140 for offenders in
P 04 460 3365 the community
E commdesk@corrections.govt.nz (page 4). This
www.corrections.govt.nz is the first time
ON THE COVER: we have had
Otara Community Corrections Acting the legislation
Senior Practitioner Liz O’Driscoll chats and equipment
with an offender. in place to test
offenders with
abstinence
conditions
for drug and
alcohol use.
2
4 When negative is positive
6 Wahine e rere ana ki te pae hou –
Women’s Strategy 2017-2021
7 Health and safety win for Corrections
7 Academics tackle re-offending with
evidence
8 Staff service on Pitcairn Island recognised
9 Research digest: highlights from the
Corrections journal
10 Gaining trust helps learning happen
10 Yoga yields positive results
11 From our Minister
11 Rimutaka Prison Gate to Plate
12 Regional highlights
16 Safety first for staff in our prisons
SEPTEMBER 2017
CON T EN TS
from our Chief Executive
A
lcohol detection anklets and testing are being for the food, they were keen to hear more about the work
trialled across the Northern Region. It’s not just we do. We even had corrections officers and our recruitment
about holding offenders who use alcohol and drugs team out encouraging people to consider working with us.
to account, it also means we can refer people to Thanks to our memorandum of understanding with the
get the help they need to address their substance abuse. Department of Conservation (DoC), our community work
Seven of our corrections officers recently returned crews have been doing their bit to save native kiwi, kokako,
from working on one of the remotest islands in the Pacific bats and other species in the Otanewainuku Forest (page 13).
(page 8). The officers were based on Pitcairn Island to Offenders have been building predator traps that humanely
provide custodial supervision of an offender at the request kill unwanted pests in the forest. We have similar projects
of the British Government. This is the second time we’ve operating at over 65 sites nationwide as part of our Good to
been asked to provide services to Pitcairn, the last time was Grow partnership with DoC, it’s a great way for offenders
back in 2006-2009 when we had over 50 staff on the island to give back to local communities.
monitoring six offenders. It was terrific to be on stage at the New Zealand
Our coveted 2017 Rimutaka Prison Gate to Plate event Workplace Health and Safety Awards to receive Corrections’
(page 11) was more popular than ever; we even had a ballot award for best board level engagement (page 7). This has
for tickets this time around. Those who didn’t manage to get been an area of focus for me over the last three years, so
tickets had another chance to get a taste of what our prisoner it was good to have our robust health and safety practices
chefs are capable of this year. Our catering instructors took recognised.
charge of a caravan set up in Midland Park in Wellington
selling prisoner-made meals to the bustling lunch crowd.
When I went to visit the team an eager queue was stretching Ray Smith
around the corner, with people lining up to buy a lunch CHIEF EXECUTIVE
prepared by prisoners. Not only were diners full of praise
DE PAR TME N T O F CO R R E CTI O N S CORRECTIONS WORKS 3
WHEN NEGATIVE
is positive
A legislative change means in May
this year Corrections started a two-year
trial of alcohol and drug testing of offenders
+ Aconducts
cting Senior Practitioner Liz O’Driscoll
a home visit with an offender (and defendants on bail) in the community.
with an abstinence condition.
4
A
long with Police, we’re trialling different types of
testing – including random urine testing, ‘reasonable
grounds’ urine testing, and alcohol detection anklets Alcohol detection anklets
– across the Northern Region. For offenders with an abstinence condition
Following the trial, an evaluation will determine the most for alcohol and a high risk of causing
effective testing technologies and testing frequencies to inform alcohol-related harm, an alcohol detection
a national roll-out. anklet may be a useful monitoring tool.
Corrections Works talks to Acting Senior Practitioner Liz Corrections and Police are using these
O’Driscoll at Otara Community Corrections where testing has anklets in the Northern Region as part
been in place since 16 May. of the trial.
How’s the trial going in Otara?
Really well! Now we can act on our suspicions, get a person
tested, and help stop harm occurring.
I had a gentleman on my caseload who I suspected was using Testing in the rest of the
methamphetamine. When I told him he could now be tested he was
country?
very anxious because he has a family he cares about. He started
engaging with treatment and got a job. It definitely had a positive The two-year trial of testing methods and
effect on him. frequencies is in the Corrections Northern
Region only. However, high risk offenders
Not all offenders can be tested, can they? with abstinence conditions across the rest
of the country can be sent for urine or
Only offenders or defendants on bail who are given an
breath testing at the discretion of the
abstinence condition by a court or the Parole Board can be tested.
relevant district manager. Alcohol detection
Probation officers (POs) recommend abstinence conditions when
anklets are only available as part of the
there’s a good reason why that person shouldn’t drink or take
two-year Northern Region trial.
drugs, usually because it’s related to their offending.
How many offenders on your caseload have an abstinence
condition?
On my caseload, there’s 14 out of 30. I have more than most
“I had a gentleman on my caseload who I
because I work with a lot of recently released prisoners. Leaving
suspected was using methamphetamine. When
prison is a high risk time because it’s stressful. People often initially
I told him he could now be tested he was very
return to their former social circles and may be encouraged to drink
anxious because he has a family he cares about.
and take drugs.
He started engaging with treatment and got a job.
It definitely had a positive effect on him.
What happens when someone tests positive?
We make decisions based on risk, so it depends. For example,
we had a low-risk offender fail his first test due to cannabis. We
sent him a warning letter, referred him to treatment, and he’s
cleaned up his act. Coming down heavy on him is likely to have
been counterproductive. On the other hand, I had an offender
return a positive for methamphetamine, which was related to
his offending (he’d been a dealer). He was recalled to prison
and is still inside.
What support is available for offenders?
POs have supportive conversations with offenders, we refer
them to treatment programmes, and there’s also the RecoveRing
helpline (offenders can call 24/7 to speak to a counsellor). We also
help in other ways. For example, one offender on my caseload had
an old associate who kept trying to get him to drink. I issued a
non-association order so the offender had a good excuse for
avoiding that guy. That’s helped him stay sober. ■
Testing at two initial trial sites (Otara Community Corrections, + Athecting Senior Practitioner Liz O’Driscoll discusses
trial of alcohol and drug testing of offenders
and Manurewa Community Corrections) started on 16 May.
with a colleague.
Testing across the Northern Region started on 1 September.
DE PAR TME N T O F CO R R E CTI O N S CORRECTIONS WORKS 5
“For a high proportion of women
offenders their complex and
entwined histories of severe
trauma, mental health issues,
substance abuse, unhealthy
relationships and poverty have
contributed to their offending.”
Chief Executive Ray Smith,
from Women’s Strategy 2017-2021
Wahine e rere ana ki te pae hou –
Women’s Strategy 2017-2021
Wahine – E rere ana ki te pae hou – Women’s Strategy sets out a new approach
for how Corrections will manage women offenders.
A
lthough small compared to men serving sentences, >> 52% of women in prison have post-traumatic stress
the number of women managed by Corrections disorder (compared to 22% of male prisoners)
(6,712 as of 30 June 2017) is increasing and >> 68% of women in prison have been a victim of family
this needs to be addressed. On top of this, many violence
women who offend are primary caregivers. If they receive >> three-quarters of women in prison have diagnosed
the support they need to turn their own lives around, that mental health problems.
will have a positive impact on their children, families and
The strategy focuses on three key areas:
our communities.
1. Providing women with interventions and services
The new Women’s Strategy was launched at Christchurch
that meet their unique risks and needs.
Women’s Prison on 28 August and includes changes in the
2. Managing women in ways that are trauma-informed
treatment and management of women offenders in
and empowering.
New Zealand.
3. Managing women in a way that reflects the importance
The reason we need a distinct approach for women is
of relationships to women.
that we know they have different experiences and needs
than men. Departmental research has found that: Good progress has already been made with the
>> relationships going wrong, lack of emotional and appointment of social workers and counsellors at women’s
practical support and economic pressures shaped by prisons, specific supported accommodation for women on
their experiences are frequently triggers to women’s EM bail and those released from prison, the pilot of a healthy
re-offending relationships programme for women under 25, and the
>> the way women see themselves, their future prospects, increase in delivery of women’s rehabilitation programmes.
and their ability to respond to problems plays a key role Looking ahead, our people will be upskilled for working
in their ability to stop offending with women. There’ll be enhancements in the industry and
>> two-thirds of women in prison have suffered family education options we offer women and our programmes
violence, rape and/or sexual assault will be culturally responsive and women-specific, rather
than just a replica of what male offenders receive. ■
6
HEALTH AND SAFETY
win for Corrections
Corrections has won the 2017 award
for ‘best board level engagement’ in
health and safety at the New Zealand
Workplace Health & Safety Awards.
T
hese are the biggest workplace health and
safety awards of the year and celebrate the + Expert Academic Advisory Panel members at their first meeting in July.
best initiatives. Corrections was a finalist
alongside Air New Zealand.
Corrections has a unique risk profile; not only do Academics tackle
we manage sometimes violent and volatile offenders
and prisoners, we also use vans, trailers, forklifts,
re-offending with evidence
cranes, farm and forestry machinery. Our staff deal
with dogs, pigs, cows, bees and hazardous chemicals. A new expert panel brings together our
We run industrial kitchens, nurseries, light engineering in-house experts and external academics
and building sites. Alongside our 9,000 or so staff are to help solve the challenges associated
many thousands of volunteers, contractors and staff with reducing re-offending.
from other agencies.
T
Improving health and safety across all our sites he Expert Academic Advisory Panel will review
began at a senior level. Our Health and Safety Risk current research best practice, identify meaningful
Governance Committee (HSRGC) is made up of the research opportunities and discuss ideas. Panel
Executive Leadership Team and an independent health participants share the view that decisions about
and safety expert. The committee has been meeting programmes and interventions for offenders must be based
since October 2013, and over the last four years has on sound research.
reviewed almost every aspect of the organisation to At a workshop held in Wellington on 7 July, the 18 panel
see where we can improve processes and manage risks. members, led by Deputy Chief Executive Jo Field, shared their
Initiatives overseen by the HSRGC include: particular area of interest in the criminal justice sector and
>> upgrading our vehicle fleet defined what they see as their top three challenges for
>> upgrading security at our sites reducing re-offending.
>> introducing new de-escalation techniques, “The coming together of Corrections and academia is
personal protective equipment and the Physical a simple idea but an important one. We’re all aware of how
Readiness Assessment for custodial staff (see challenging issues of crime and justice are, so by pooling our
back page) ideas and cooperating more closely we maximise the chances
>> introducing Site Emergency Response Teams of gaining better understandings and positive outcomes,” says
>> introducing new processes for managing fatigue Sociologist Jarrod Gilbert.
>> working with contractors or third parties to ensure The panel agreed on three areas to focus on: reintegration,
the safety of all those we work with research and data, and reducing the negative effect of
>> implementing the Everyone Safe Every Day involvement in gangs.
strategy. ■ The panel will meet again in October. ■
Corrections panel members include:
>> Ray Smith, Jo Field, Peter Johnston, Neil
Campbell, Juanita Ryan, Suzanne Kennedy,
Nikki Reynolds, Neil Beales, Darius Fagan.
External panel members include:
>> Mäori health and cultural adviser Meihana Durie
Massey University
>> Sociologist Jarrod Gilbert
>> Criminologists Tracey McIntosh and Greg
Newbold
+ RCentre.
eceiving the award on 31 May at the SKYCITY Convention
(L-R) Vince Arbuckle, Christine Stevenson, Cheryle
>> Youth Justice Mark Henaghan Otago University
Mikaere, Chris Fry, Ray Smith, Mike Cosman (Cosman Parkes >> Psychologists Ian Lambie, Julia Ioane, Armon
Ltd), Jo Field, Neil Cherry, Carolyn van Leuven and Terry Tamatea, Randy Grace, Devon Polaschek.
Johnson from Simpson Grierson.
DE PAR TME N T O F CO R R E CTI O N S CORRECTIONS WORKS 7
Staff service on
Pitcairn Island
recognised
The work of seven Corrections staff, who have returned from an overseas
deployment to remote Pitcairn Island, was recognised recently.
S
ix of the seven staff deployed were presented with
a Pacific Pin by Corrections Minister Hon. Louise
Upston and a commemorative coin by British High
Commissioner Jonathan Sinclair.
Corrections provided custodial services at Her Majesty’s
Prison (HMP) Pitcairn, on the remote British territory in the
Pacific Ocean, for 10 months in 2016/17.
Corrections staff were first deployed to Pitcairn Island
from 2006 to 2009 to monitor six offenders found guilty of
sexually abusing children. The British Government requested
a second deployment to provide custodial supervision for one
prisoner for an additional 10 months in 2016/17.
“It’s a big ask to bring together a team to work in such
an isolated place,” says National Commissioner Rachel Leota.
During their time on Pitcairn Island, the corrections
officers also helped with community projects such as
concreting the Alternative Harbour. The harbour was built
to provide a second way of getting supplies and people on
and off the island when Bounty Bay Harbour is unavailable
due to high seas. There is no air service on Pitcairn Island
due to its remoteness.
+ SCO Donald Windybank concreting the Alternative Harbour.
“In addition to their duties and the harbour work, the
team took on other community projects in their free time to
enrich the lives of all those living on the island,” says Rachel.
At the ceremony in Parliament from left to right: Team
Leader and HMP Pitcairn Superintendent Craig Sweeny
(Whanganui Prison), Prison officers HMP Pitcairn: David
Jones (Auckland Prison), Greg Hall (Otago Corrections
Facility), Simon Namana (Northland Region Corrections
Facility), Donald Windybank (Northland Region Corrections
Facility), and Jason King (Tongariro Prison). Absent: Kevin
Martin (Whanganui Prison). Kevin received his pin at
a separate event. ■
8
RESEARCH DIGEST:
highlights from the
Corrections
journal
Can we treat sex offenders who deny NZ prisoners’ prior exposure to trauma
their offending? That many prisoners have had traumatic lives is hardly
We know how to treat sex offenders who accept news, but perhaps surprisingly, there’s limited evidence
responsibility for their behaviour. But what about those men on the subject. This research measured the prevalence
who have been found guilty but who nevertheless continue of different potentially traumatising events in the lives of
to deny that they did anything wrong? Internationally, most New Zealand prisoners – and the results are sobering. For
prison-based sex offender treatment programmes won’t example, over three quarters of prisoners have experienced
accept them. In New Zealand, staff work with these deniers, violence. Women experienced violence at slightly higher
encouraging them to take responsibility and accept rates than men (81% compared to 77%), and more commonly
treatment. But some men remain adamant that they have experienced sexual and family violence. Fifty-two percent of
not offended, and therefore remain untreated. To try to female prisoners and 40% of male prisoners have a lifetime
reduce the risk these men will pose on release, Corrections diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. Research of this
staff are developing a pilot programme for prisoners who are kind helps inform how we treat and manage prisoners, and
in denial but who are nonetheless willing to attend treatment. shows the importance of trauma-informed care. ■
What works in NZ correctional
rehabilitation?
How do we know our rehabilitation programmes work?
How do we know they’re as effective as those offered in other
countries? And how do we know it was the rehabilitation
programme that caused the change and not some other
factor? New Zealand is the only country in the world that
routinely measures and reports on the outcomes of all its
correctional rehabilitation programmes. The process has
major benefits, enabling the department to direct resources
where we get the best results and discontinue programmes
that are less effective. This article sets out some of the more
important lessons that have been drawn from the results
of these annual outcomes analysis exercises over the last
Full articles and more research are available in Practice:
15 years.
the New Zealand Corrections Journal in the Resources
section on our website www.corrections.govt.nz
DE PAR TME N T O F CO R R E CTI O N S CORRECTIONS WORKS 9
Gaining trust helps
learning happen
A Howard League volunteer has been
supporting prisoners at Christchurch
Women’s Prison and Christchurch Men’s
Prison Youth Unit with their literacy needs
for over two years.
B
everly Iremonger, a former nurse, had cared for
a young man who had been in prison.
“He couldn’t read and this caused problems with
VOLUNTEERS
his treatment and interactions with hospital staff,”
says Beverly.
“After I retired, I wanted to do something different. When
I heard Mike Williams* on the radio talking about prisoners’ + Vatolunteer Te Maari Gardiner leads a yoga class
Tongariro Prison.
low literacy levels, how that adds to their offending and
hinders their chance of getting a job, I thought I could help.”
Beverly currently has two students in the Youth Unit who
she teaches twice a week for up to an hour and a half. She YOGA YIELDS
uses the Howard League literacy programme as a teaching
guide, and tailors her teaching to the prisoner’s interests.
POSITIVE RESULTS
W
“I ask new students to write about their life, experiences anting to see how yoga could
and interests, or tell a story.” better equip prisoners to make
Initially apprehensive about teaching literacy in prison, life-changing decisions led yoga
Beverly has learned to relax and enjoy the time with her teacher Te Maari Gardiner to
students. volunteer at Tongariro Prison.
“Gaining their trust and seeing them achieve with a few “Yoga can help the men learn to relax and
laughs along the way is extremely rewarding,” she says. develop self-awareness,” says Te Maari.
“Most start lacking confidence and are sometimes Te Maari has been teaching yoga for 17 years
defensive. Once I get their trust, learning happens. It’s the and volunteering at Tongariro Prison for 16 months.
one-on-one time that makes the most difference.” ■ “I’m a qualified Satyananda Yoga Teacher and
*Mike Williams is Chief Executive of the Howard League affiliated to the Yoga Education in Prisons Trust,
for Penal Reform. which is a registered charitable trust providing
yoga and meditation education for prisoners.”
Te Maari spends two hours a week in two units
at Tongariro Prison. “Six to eight men attend each
session. For most, the classes have been their
introduction to yoga,” she says.
Classes begin with breath/body awareness,
then warm-up and yoga postures followed by
cooling down and relaxation.
“Curiosity brought them to their first class
but most persevered. I enjoy seeing their progress;
their stepping up to the challenge and making it
their own.”
Feedback has been encouraging. “Some have told
me how much better their back, neck or shoulders
feel after, and that the yoga class is the highlight of
their week. Most say they like how ‘chilled out’ they
+ Vatolunteer Beverly Iremonger guides a young offender
the Christchurch Men’s Prison Youth Unit.
feel, and that night they have the best sleep.” ■
10From our Minister
As we move well and truly into the second half of 2017, I’m
pleased to see what we have achieved in Corrections this year.
I
have visited 14 of the country’s That’s why this Government and
17 prisons, a number of Community Corrections will continue to focus on
Corrections sites, and I’ve spoken rehabilitation and reintegration.
to staff and offenders. Corrections has a number of
The days of locking up people and programmes designed to give offenders
throwing away the key are long over. a chance at turning their lives around.
That is why Corrections puts a huge This was recently given a boost in the
amount of resources into the rehabilitation Budget with an extra $18.6m for
and reintegration of offenders. industry, training and support
There is a natural fit between programmes in prisons.
Corrections and my portfolio There is a degree of personal
responsibilities in Associate Education, responsibility needed here but
Associate Tertiary Education, Skills Corrections has worked hard in recent
and Employment and Associate Primary years to tailor programmes suited
Industries. to individuals, designed to help them
I’m passionate about education, lead better, crime-free lives when
skills and training. They are key to they are released.
individual success and the success of I thank Corrections staff, and
our country, socially and economically. volunteers, for your continuing hard
The aspirations of people in work in helping offenders achieve
Corrections’ care should be no different these goals. ■
to those of everyone else. We all want
a secure income and a place to live.
But we recognise that some people Hon. Louise Upston
are going to need more help to achieve MINISTER OF CORRECTIONS
those aspirations.
Rimutaka Prison Gate to Plate
A
ugust 2017 marked the fifth year Rimutaka Prison has welcomed
stakeholders and paying guests to enjoy delicious gourmet fare as part
of the Visa Wellington on a Plate festival.
Prisoners were mentored by Corrections catering instructors,
celebrated chef Martin Bosley and two guest chefs, James Pask (Whitebait) and
Kristan Mulcahy (Dillinger’s and Green Man).
Demand was so high, tickets had to be purchased through a ballot and the event
was sold out. As in earlier years, evening dinners were prepared and served by
prisoners to around 240 guests over three nights.
For the first time, three pop-up lunch events were held the following week. Food
prepared by the same prisoners and sold from a caravan in Wellington’s Midland Park
was snapped up by the locals.
Gate to Plate highlights the potential for prisoners to make positive gains in their
lives as they work towards release back into the community. Achieving sought-after
catering qualifications, and serving restaurant quality meals, will help them find
sustainable employment giving them a better chance of living crime free lives.
“Dinner was totally delectable. It was a privilege to hear the men’s stories, see
them having a purpose to their days and hope for a future on the outside,” says Jodi
Mitchell, a dinner attendee. ■
+ Taopprisoner
chef Martin Bosley works with
during Visa Wellington
on a Plate.
DE PAR TME N T O F CO R R E CTI O N S CORRECTIONS WORKS 11regional
HIGHLIGHTS
MUSICAL MAHI BEARS
Regional Highlights
SWEET RESULTS
Northern
T
en women graduated from the Music Creation
course at Auckland Region Women’s
Corrections Facility (ARWCF) in July.
Part of the Foundation Sound and Music
programme, the course is delivered by MAINZ, a faculty
of Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP).
Performing songs they’d composed themselves,
the graduates entertained a supportive audience of + Mandanurewa Service Manager Marua Kutu (second from right)
Community Corrections staff perform a traditional Cook
prisoners, Corrections’ staff and external visitors, Islands dance.
including TPP Chief Executive Alex Cabrera.
“The waiata encapsulated the wahine’s stories,
with words that came from the heart,” says ARWCF
Prison Director Cheryle Mikaere. LANGUAGE WEEK
“After 17 weeks of hard-out mahi, our graduates
shared their personal journeys, not only about the past
SHOWCASES DIVERSITY
I
and the present, but also the future – celebrating the n August, Cook Islands Language Week
skills, talent, passion and motivation they’ll take with celebrations at Manurewa Community Corrections
them when they’re released.” attracted the attention of Radio 531pi, which serves
“We had the best time,” said one of the graduates. Pasifika communities throughout New Zealand.
“I love music and singing. I hope I can continue studying Manurewa Service Manager Marua Kutu and two
when I leave prison.” probation officers were interviewed live on air by Radio
MAINZ Programme Leader Foundation Phil Oxenham 531pi in two programmes about Community
says the programme is designed to give students core Corrections, and the importance of staff being able
foundational skills in music. to communicate in offenders’ mother tongues.
“The course teaches a range of basic skills, including Marua is of Tongan-Cook Islands descent and is
live sound and recording, song writing, decoding and fluent in Tongan.
deconstructing lyrics, music history, audio engineering, “Listeners’ responses were fantastic,” says Marua,
and performance,” says Phil. ■ who also took questions from listeners who phoned in.
Marua explained in Tongan what the work of
Community Corrections entails. She also highlighted
Corrections’ recruitment drive, and asked listeners
to visit our frontline jobs website.
“South Auckland is one of the most ethnically
diverse communities in Auckland, if not New Zealand,
and migrant communities in the area are growing,”
says Marua.
Corrections staff find speaking someone’s language
helps to establish trust and a connection, not only with
the offender, but also with his or her family.
Almost seven per cent of the New Zealand
+ (graduate
L-R) Programme Leader Foundation Phil Oxenham, a
receiving her certificate from TPP Chief Executive
population identifies as Cook Islands Mäori, and after
Alex Cabrera, and ARWCF Prison Director Cheryle Mikaere. Samoan, Cook Islands Mäori is the most spoken
Polynesian language. ■
12Northern Central Lower North Southern
WAIKERIA PRISON KITCHEN SERVES UP A FRESH START
Regional Highlights
F
or over 25 years, Waikeria Prison’s catering unit
has not only been serving meals to prisoners, they
Central
have been helping prisoners attain the experience
and qualifications needed to succeed on the outside.
“What they learn in the kitchen extends well beyond how
to cook safe, flavoursome food,” says Industries Manager
Wiremu Jensen. “Prisoners also learn about having a work
ethic and how to work as part of a team, which for some is
a new experience.”
Through the catering unit, prisoners can attain levels two,
three and four in hospitality, the same qualifications held by + TatheWaikeria
Coffee Shed where prisoners do their barista training
Prison.
many chefs working in restaurants and hotels.
These qualifications, combined with experience in food
preparation, exposure to a wide range of cooking techniques, The prison’s kitchen produces over 2,000 nutritious meals
quality control, storage and presentation, mean that a day. As well as running a commercial kitchen, prisoners are
prisoners can walk out and make a fresh start. taught fine dining and preparation of café style food. Barista
Four former prisoners have done just that. One is now a training is also provided.
tutor at a private training establishment that runs hospitality “The kitchen employs about 35 prisoners a day,” says
courses, another owns a catering business, a third has a full Wiremu. “Since the catering unit started in 1991, thousands
time assistant chef position in a café, and a fourth has his of prisoners have gained experience and qualifications so
own food truck. they can make a fresh start in the hospitality industry.” ■
350 TRAPS FOR OTANEWAINUKU
FOREST
A
partnership between along with kiwi, kokako, native bats,
Corrections, Department of North Island robin and tree weta. The
Conservation (DoC) and the traps are designed to humanely kill
Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust ferrets, stoats, rats and hedgehogs
will help save native species in the to help protect native flora and fauna.”
Otanewainuku Forest. Protecting Otanewainuku, which
Around 10 Bay of Plenty community means ‘the many waters that spring
offenders recently constructed 72 forth from the domain of Tane’, led to
predator traps to help manage pests the formation of the Otanewainuku Kiwi
in the 1,200 hectare forest. They have Trust in 2002. The Trust operates under
worked on this project for two to three a Memorandum of Understanding with
days per week, over a two week period. DoC who administers the land and gives
The offenders are now constructing a advice on pest control.
further 280 traps. Mark is talking to the Trust about
Tauranga Lead Service Manager getting community work crews to help
Mark Nijssen says, “Otanewainuku is lay bait and check traps to further assist
home to over 300 native plant species, pest eradication efforts. ■
+ Pnative
redator traps will help protect our
kiwi.
DE PAR TME N T O F CO R R E CTI O N S CORRECTIONS WORKS 13regional H IG H L IG H TS
SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATION
Regional Highlights
RESULTS IN PARTNERSHIP AWARD
Lower North
W
ellington District Community Corrections
recognised its partners in the Alcohol
Impairment Education Programme (AIEP)
with a Community Partnership Award recently.
Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and Upper Hutt
City Council’s Road Safety Team are partners in the
programme with Corrections that delivers a sobering
message to offenders.
“The award recognises the ongoing support of our
partners in delivering this programme to offenders in the
Wellington district,” says District Manager Sue Abraham.
AIEP is a one-day motivational and educational
programme aimed at preventing driver impairment and
encouraging sensible decision-making. It encourages
good decision-making around drinking and driving and an + Crecipients.
orrections staff with Community Partnership Award
Holding awards (L-R): Henry Stechman, Fire
understanding of the ‘ripple effect’ poor decision-making
and Emergency New Zealand; Inspector Tracey Thompson,
can have on families and communities.
Kapiti Mana Area Commander, NZ Police; Catherine
Offenders participate in activities while wearing goggles Pulford, Upper Hutt City Council Road Safety Team.
that simulate being under the influence. They talk to Police,
fire fighters, a mortician, and a council’s road safety team,
and see and hear about the consequences of driving after The first programme in the Wellington district was held
drinking or drug-taking. in February 2016. Around 80 offenders have participated
“The visual impact of the programme makes offenders to date, including 20 women in Arohata Prison’s Drug
realise they don’t want to become another drink-driving Treatment Unit where it was introduced to the prison
fatality,” says Sue. for the first time in July. ■
JUST BOARDS MORE THAN BOARDS
I
t’s not every day a product launch plan, and presented it to business
is held behind bars, but that’s where mentors and YES project judges in
the BRUTHAS, a team of five youth a Dragon’s Den-style format.
prisoners in Hawkes Bay Regional The project’s about more than
Prison and six pupils from St John’s making boards: it’s about collaboration
College Hastings, held the launch of and camaraderie.
their innovative ‘Just Boards’ product. Speaking after the launch in the
As part of the Young Enterprise prison’s Te Tirohanga Unit, youth
Scheme (YES), BRUTHAS designed a prisoner ‘CEO’ Don* said, “It was a great
unique set of wooden boards that can experience because getting involved with
be used as a chopping board or serving people that have their freedom
platter. motivated us to achieve more and aim
Made from recycled rimu, each set high. St John’s played a good role in this
consists of four boards that interlock like project and I’m thankful to have been
a jigsaw and resemble a waka. Each set part of it.”
comes inside an upcycled coffee sack Boards have been sold at local cafes
with a drawstring tie. and the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ market.
The team made prototype boards, Orders for the boards have exceeded
conducted market research, crunched supply. ■
numbers on production costs vs *not his real name
+ Ba RUTHAS designed ‘Just Boards’,
unique set of wooden boards that
projected sales, prepared a business
can be used as a chopping board or
serving platter.
14FONTERRA
Regional Highlights
RECOGNISES PRISON
Southern
DAIRY FARM
I
n July, Fonterra recognised the efforts of
instructors and prisoners working on the dairy
farm at Otago Corrections Facility (OCF) with
a certificate of achievement.
The certificate was for ‘low somatic cell count’
which is a measure of milk quality or purity.
The farm was ranked 137th out of over 10,000
suppliers and finished in the top one percentile of
farms that supply Fonterra.
“This is a significant achievement for the prisoners
working on the farm, the farm team and the prison
as a whole,” says OCF Principal Instructor Dairy
Tony Russell.
“We’re a training farm, teaching prisoners + Droleunedin youth offenders inspired after talking to rugby
models.
employable skills they can use to maintain a crime
free life on release.”
Over the past five to six seasons, staff at the prison
have put a considerable amount of work into the dairy
skills of the men on the farm and the stock PILOT IMPROVING
programme.
“Most of the work on the farm is done by around
SENTENCE COMPLIANCE
S
five prisoners, most of whom have had nothing to do even months into a youth offender initiative in
with farming before,” says Tony. Dunedin, Corrections staff are seeing a big
Acting Prison Director Lyndal Miles says the whole improvement in compliance from local youth
site is incredibly proud. offenders.
“We’re delighted that Fonterra has recognised The Otago Community Work Pilot began in February.
our farm’s excellence in animal health practices and It recognises that youth are different from adult offenders,
ongoing commitment to milk quality,” says Lyndal. and aims to better engage them in their sentences, and help
“Corrections is giving people employable skills and them gain the skills and desire to make better decisions.
work aptitudes. We’re keen to find opportunities with Beginning with the development of a youth-only
employers who’re willing to offer a second chance community work team, the initiative has grown to include
to offenders.” ■ Work and Living Skills opportunities and employment
conversations specific to the interests of the young people.
“It’s vitally important we work as a community to get
youth offenders through their sentences and making more
positive life choices,” says Corrections Dunedin Service
Manager and Youth Champion Cathryn Elsworth.
Youth form a disproportionate part of the offender
population. Corrections manages around 40,000 offenders
every year, and 7,500 are under 24. Young people re-offend
at a higher rate and more serious level than any other group
we manage.
Otago Probation Officer and ex-All Black Paul Miller
provided an excellent mentoring opportunity. He took five
youth offenders to watch the Highlanders do their captain’s
run (training session run by the captain the day before the
game) and meet some of the players.
“Hearing the Highlanders speak to the young offenders
about their personal goals was very powerful,” says Paul.
“The young people left feeling inspired, and talking about
their goals and how to achieve them.” ■
+ Principal Instructor Tony Russell in the dairy shed.
DE PAR TME N T O F CO R R E CTI O N S CORRECTIONS WORKS 15SAFETY FIRST FOR
STAFF IN OUR PRISONS
We’re doing our best to ensure custodial staff stay safe on the job.
De-escalation training: If a prisoner is
Knowledge of issues: Our angry or upset, our first option is to talk them
Prison Tension Assessment Tool down and try and help them work through the
means all staff are made aware issues. Our recruitment process selects staff
of known issues and tensions with good interpersonal skills, and staff are
before they start their shift. further trained in de-escalation techniques.
Slash proof gloves: Common
On body cameras: Telling a contraband in prisons includes
prisoner you’re recording them sharp items such as home-made
can dramatically improve their tattoo-guns and weapons. These
behaviour. Staff in high risk gloves keep staff safe from stab
environments now wear on injuries during searches.
body cameras. A 2014 trial
found that wearing cameras
reduced the rate of incidents by Stab resistant body armour:
15-20%. To date, 912 cameras Custodial staff can sometimes be at
have been deployed. risk of injuries because they have to
intervene in prisoner on prisoner fights
or defend themselves against violence,
Pepper spray: Sometimes all the which can sometimes feature home-
de-escalation in the world doesn’t made weapons. Stab resistant body
stop a prisoner being violent or armour was introduced in 2015.
refusing to obey a lawful order.
Pepper spray has been available in
prisons since 2011, but only as part Radio: The ability to maintain effective
of a planned response and staff had and clear communication with colleagues
to collect it from a central place. is an essential safety strategy.
From July 2017 we began deploying
pepper spray to selected trained
custodial staff to wear as they go Physically ready and alert: Our Physical
about their duties and deploy, if Readiness Assessment ensures all staff are fit
needed, in a spontaneous incident. enough to respond quickly in an emergency and
Pepper spray is a proven effective way help keep their colleagues safe. Our Fatigue
to stop a prisoner safely and fast. Project is helping to ensure staff get enough
rest and enough time off shift to recover.
+ S enior Tactical Operations Adviser Rob Hoogenraad in a de-escalation stance wearing Corrections’ current safety measures.
Corrections Works is published quarterly by the Department of Corrections.
COR R EC T IONS Private Box 1206, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Phone 04 460 3365 Email commdesk@corrections.govt.nz
@correctionsNZ Corrections NZ
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