In the last financial year the number of new community work sentences was 40,934 compared to 35,577 in 2007-2008. The total annual throughput was higher as well; 64,150 in 2008-2009 – against 55,415 in the previous financial year.
Nearly half (44 per cent) of those serving a community-based sentence are Maori. So succeeding with Maori offenders remains one of our key priorities. Everyone should be very clear when looking at statistics that more than 95 per cent of Maori are not serving a sentence or order. We work together with many Maori iwi and organisations in our efforts to reduce re-offending among Maori.
We also work together with other organisations to improve public safety. New Zealand Police is one of them. So we are pleased to include an article in this issue that shows the appreciation of the Waitemata Police for the Waitakere West Service Centre. They talk about the work that offenders on community work do cleaning up the railway corridor and say they couldn’t do it without the help of the Waitakere City Council and Corrections.
This is just one example of the support CPPS provides to the community. If you know of projects in your area where community work parties could play a part, we would love to hear from you.
For more information please talk to staff at your nearest Probation Service Centre. Contact details can be found in the White Pages under the Department of Corrections (See C under the blue government department pages)
Katrina Casey
General Manager
Community Probation
& Psychological Services
Got a story for Community Works or want to request the print edition?
Email commdesk@corrections.govt.nz or phone (04) 460 3365.
Community Works is published quarterly by the Department of Corrections. Contact details for Community Probation & Psychological Services can be found here or by looking under C for Corrections in the Government listings of the Telecom White Pages.
ISSN 1178-1327