The importance of work in reducing recidivism rates was stressed by Chief Executive Barry Matthews when he thanked local businesses for giving prisoners a “second chance” at the opening of Mt Eden Prison’s Reintegration Unit.

Research shows that prisoners with employment training are more likely to get paid employment.

“More importantly, research shows that prisoners who find sustainable employment on release are less likely to be re-convicted or re-imprisoned,” Barry said.

Unit Manager Ajit Singh (right) with staff at the
opening of the new reintegration unit at Mt Eden Prison.

The 54-bed unit aims to increase prisoner self-responsibility. It will house carefully selected prisoners who will go out to jobs under the Release to Work programme. All prisoners in the unit will be nearing release, will have undertaken work-related training and have shown themselves to be trust-worthy and eager to work.

Barry encouraged employers who can offer prisoners work to contact Corrections.

“The success of this Unit and the Release to Work programme relies on employers like you taking up the challenge and providing an opportunity for prisoners to change their lives,” he said.

“I encourage you to give it a go, the Department will support you all it can.”

 

Prisoners and work - facts and figures

• Seventy-six prisoners are on the Release to Work programme nationwide. Corrections’ targets are to have 80 prisoners on Release to Work by February 2007 and 160 by the end of 2007.
• The last prison census in 2003 showed that 45 percent of prisoners were unemployed before going to prison, and that over 50 percent of prisoners have no formal qualifications.

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ISSN 1178-8453

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