The Minister of Corrections Hon Damien O’Connor and South Island Regional Manager Paul Monk recently joined prisoners for dinner at one of the region’s self-care units.
The dinner formed part of a Ministerial visit to see the contribution to rehabilitating offenders the units were making at both Christchurch Men’s and Women’s Prisons.
“Almost every prisoner will eventually be released, and Corrections has a responsibility to ensure that they are able to reintegrate back into the community,” says Paul.
“Prisoners who have developed the skills to successfully live in the community prior to leaving prison are less likely to re-offend, and the selfcare units play an important role in helping to achieve this.”
The units aim to develop life skills for prisoners close to release, especially those who have spent a considerable period of time in prison. These are skills which may have been deficient when the offender entered prison or have diminished during an extended period of confinement.
The self-care units give prisoners practical experience in managing budgets and household chores such as cooking.
“They really replicate a flatting type environment,” Paul says.
“By providing prisoners with an intermediate step between mainstream prison life and the wider community, they can develop important life skills in a controlled and secure environment.”
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ISSN 1178-8453