Prisoner training and employment a must

Minister of Corrections Hon Judith Collins and Corrections Chief Executive Barry Matthews were joined by Corrections staff and industry groups when they launched the Prisoner Skills and Employment Strategy 2009-2012 at Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility (ARWCF) in October.
 
The Strategy sees an increased focus on training and prison based industry, which will result in at least 1,000 extra prisoners gaining skills and work experience on any given day by 2012.

The launch on 7 October was attended by representatives from industry organisations, training institutions and companies CIE has a working relationship with. They joined the Minister and Barry on a tour of some of the prison based industries operating at ARWCF such as the work that is undertaken for Canon and the kitchen that is also used for catering.

The Strategy creates a framework for the Department to increase the number of prisoners receiving training in areas such as literacy, numeracy and work skills, as well as increasing the number of prisoners participating in industry based training.

“This strategy focuses on doing more of what we know works,” says Barry. “We will be looking to build on the relationships that we have established with Institutes of Technology and Polytechs around the country, and develop new partnerships. We will be increasing the number of training places available to prisoners, and extending what we already have in place to create opportunities for remand prisoners, and those serving shorter sentences.”

“Under this strategy, in the current economic climate where new job opportunities are limited we are looking to deliver more chances for prisoners to develop their skills. This will enable them to contribute to New Zealand’s future economic growth, and give them a better chance of gaining employment when they are released,” says Barry.

The Minister stressed to those attending the launch that prisoner training and employment was a ‘must have’, not a ‘nice to have’. “Prisoner training and employment helps to keep prisoners focused, builds self esteem, and provides them with the chance to find sustainable employment on release. This isn’t being soft on criminals. It’s being realistic about addressing the causes of re-offending for the good of the country,” says Ms Collins.
 
“We recognise that not every prisoner can be rehabilitated. However, for those who are willing to change we have a responsibility to support them and offer them every chance to do so.”