New Zealand’s first specialist mainstream reintegration unit was opened on 30 October by Minister of Corrections Hon. Damien O’Connor.
Public Prisons Service Wellington Regional Manager Dave East says the unit is an important step in helping prisoners prepare for life in the community and reducing the chances of them re-offending.
“The unit will house 60 prisoners and will aim to increase prisoners’ general competence, self-responsibility and selfreliance,” Dave says.
Prisoners who enter the unit will have agreed to work towards their positive reintegration into the community and will focus on vocational training or participating in Release to Work. Release to Work is a form of temporary release that allows carefully selected prisoners to leave the prison to go to work in a paid job during the day.
“Reintegrating prisoners is in the interests of the community as a whole, so it’s great that we can create this supportive environment where prisoners can resolve their reintegration needs,” says Dave.
The reintegration unit is currently building up its prisoner numbers and should have reached a full complement by Christmas.
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