Securing jobs on a dairy farm, apprenticeships in panel beating, and places on business courses for young released prisoners are among Waikeria Prison Reintegration Coordinator Mike Holloway’s success stories.
Mike has developed solid networks with employers and learning institutions for prisoners released from Waikeria’s Youth Unit.
“It’s really encouraging for me to see key government and community agencies getting together to discuss individual pre-release plans. As a result of the youth reintegration work in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty/Auckland areas we’re developing supportive and robust plans for our young offenders,” says Mike.
All prisoners aged under 18 years and those aged under 20 years who are deemed vulnerable are held in youth units. A specialised assessment tool has been developed for measuring vulnerability.
As well as being isolated from other prisoners, youth unit prisoners receive intensive, youth-specific interventions designed to address their needs.
There are youth units based in Rimutaka, Hawke’s Bay, Waikeria and Christchurch Prisons.
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ISSN 1178-8453