Manawatu Prison accommodates 290 prisoners with a security classification ranging from minimum to high-medium.
Manawatu Prison began as the Manawatu Youth Institution in 1979 for young sentenced male prisoners motivated to make use of the institution's educational, social development, trade training and community-based programmes. It became Manawatu Prison in 1985.
Manawatu Prison has a small number of remand beds that are used to service the Manawatu region.
The prison is located at Linton, south of Palmerston North and employs 136 staff. It is part of Prison Services' Central Region.
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Further information
Security
Reducing re-offending
Motivational programmes
Cognitive-behavioural programmes
Specialist units
Prisoner employment
Education
Reintegration
Working with the community
Security
Protecting the public is the Department's highest priority, and this is accomplished through the secure incarceration of prisoners.
The level of physical security at each prison varies and is dependant on the type of prisoner accommodated.
Because Manawatu Prison accommodates a range of prisoners, the level of physical security differs across the prison site.
Minimum security parts of the prison have a lower level of physical security because these prisoners have been assessed as a minimal risk to the public and have proved they are trustworthy.
Manawatu Prison is surrounded by a highly secure perimeter fence topped with razor wire to prevent it being climbed.
The area immediately surrounding the perimeter fence is equipped with lighting, and some surveillance equipment.
Anyone entering Manawatu Prison, including staff, can be subject to a search to prevent contraband being taken into the prison.
Manawatu Prison has a drug dog team available to perform searches on visitors, staff and their vehicles as well as regular cell and grounds searches.
Electronic security devices and cameras are also used at the prison.
Reducing re-offending
Reducing re-offending is critical if the Department is to meet its overriding objective of improving public safety.
Reducing re-offending means fewer offenders commit crime after completing their sentence – resulting in fewer victims, a reduction in the cost of crime and safer communities.
Manawatu Prison provides prisoners with a range of rehabilitation programmes and interventions that are designed to address the primary causes of their offending and prepare them for release.
The most intensive interventions are targeted at prisoners who are assessed as being a high-risk of re-offending, that have severe needs that caused their offending and are motivated to make positive changes in their lives.
Every prisoner entering Manawatu Prison receives a sentence plan which they are expected to comply with. The focus of the sentence plan is on reducing re-offending on release and is developed following an assessment of a prisoner's risk, needs and motivation. This ensures they are placed on the most appropriate and timely programmes and interventions to address the underlying causes of their offending.
Rehabilitation programmes and interventions provided at Manawatu Prison fall into four main categories: motivational, cognitive-behavioural, employment and education, and reintegrative.
Motivational programmes
Motivational programmes are designed to increase motivation and to encourage and prepare prisoners to confront the causes of their offending.
There is one motivational programme used at Manawatu Prison: the Short Motivational Programme.
The Short Motivational Programme aims to increase motivation by increasing a prisoner's problem awareness and recognition, reducing ambivalence, addressing cognitive distortions, and helping them consider options and formulate goals.
Cognitive-behavioural programmes
Cognitive-behavioural programmes aim to reduce re-offending by helping prisoners address the causes of their offending and teaching them to identify, analyse and solve problems and make decisions to better their lives.
Prisoners also learn how to understand the consequences of their actions and gain control over their own behaviour.
The Short Rehabilitation Programme is a brief rehabilitation programme aimed at a smaller number of prisoners who require rehabilitation but do not have the time to complete a longer programme.
The Short Rehabilitation Programme targets a range of prisoners and is designed to cover the common elements of all offending.
Specialist units
Manawatu prison has a voluntary faith based unit known as the Alpha Unit.
The Alpha Unit is based around Christian Principles and prisoners volunteer to reside in the Unit.
It provides a supportive environment committed to the Principles, Values and Attitudes programme. This is run by the prison chaplain and the programme is based on the spiritual values of the Christian faith.
Prisoner employment
Prisoner employment, managed by Corrections Inmate Employment (CIE), plays an integral part in the rehabilitation of prisoners as it provides prisoners with essential work skills and habits.
The last prison census in 2003 found more than half of prisoners were not in paid employment prior to sentencing.
Prisoner employment increases the chance a prisoner will find sustainable work on release and research shows this will result in less prisoners being reconvicted.
Manawatu Prison offers three main types of employment:
• internal self-sufficiency activities such as food preparation and ground maintenance
• business-like industries including a light engineering workshop and nursery
• commercial work parties, primarily in the construction industry.
Prisoners are able to earn credits under the National Qualification Framework, allowing them to work towards qualifications whilst they are engaged in employment and training.
Minimum security prisoners who are nearing release may also be eligible to participate in Release to Work.
Release to Work is a form of temporary release that allows prisoners to be employed in paid work in the community during the day.
It provides prisoners with a stable work record and the job is often carried on after a prisoner's release from prison.
Education
There is a strong relationship between a lack of education and criminal behaviour. At the time of the last prison census in 2003, 51.7 per cent of all prisoners had no formal qualifications.
Educational achievement and participation can equip prisoners for self-sufficiency and reduce the barriers to living an offence-free life.
A prisoner can enrol in any subject or education programme they consider themselves capable of achieving.
There are three main types of education offered to prisoners at Manawatu Prison:
- Foundation Skills allows prisoners to develop their reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking, numeracy and problem solving skills
- Industry Training Qualifications earned on-the-job with Corrections Inmate Employment
- Self-Directed Tertiary Study distance learning initiated by prisoners and supported by the Department.
In addition, computer and hobby classes are also available.
Reintegration
Reintegration programmes address problems likely to increase a prisoners' risk of re-offending on release.
Being imprisoned can have significant social consequences for a prisoner.
They are likely to have lost their job and accommodation, they are unlikely to be able to support their families and their relationships can be adversely affected in other ways.
Combined, this can lead offenders into a cycle of institutionalisation.
Manawatu Prison provides two reintegrative programmes:
• Living Skills which is a broad-based programme to give prisoners skills and knowledge on how to function effectively in society on their release
• Parenting Skills which is a group programme designed to teach parenting and relationship skills.
Reintegration case-workers also work with high-need prisoners at Manawatu Prison to address their specific reintegrative needs and help them prepare for release in the community.
The Ministry of Social Development have Work and Income work brokers and case managers permanently based at Manawatu Prison to help prisoners nearing release to find suitable work before they are released.
Prisoners who find sustainable employment on release are less likely to re-offend.
Working with the community
The community has an important role to play in the rehabilitation and transition of prisoners back into the community by supporting and encouraging prisoners to live an offence free life.
Many sectors of the community are involved in rehabilitating offenders and helping them move back into the community.
Manawatu Prison has a good relationship with local iwi and hapu. Local iwi, Rangitaane, have been providing assistance with the Bi-Cultural Therapy Model with prisoners to help address their offending.
Manawatu Prison also works with a number of support agencies, including New Zealand Prisoner's Aid and Rehabilitation Society (NZPARS), Prison Fellowship and the Salvation Army to support the successful reintegration of prisoners back into the community.
A large number of people also regularly donate their time, energy and expertise as volunteers with Manawatu Prison.
Volunteers provide invaluable support for prisoners and their families and give prisoners the opportunity to spend their free time constructively through music, art or sport.