Kurt Vlietstra
“Helping people help themselves” is how Kurt Vlietstra sees his job as a reintegration caseworker at Rimutaka Prison.
Working mainly with young people, Kurt first sees prisoners about eight months before the end of their sentence. He reviews each prisoner’s file, then sits down with them to sort out what needs to be done before they are released.
“Together we create a game plan. Then we action it so prisoners are better prepared when they leave prison,” says Kurt.
“We organise practical things like employment or income, accommodation, and healthcare.
“We look at finances, budgeting and debt management. We go through what the conditions of their release might be and how to meet them. We look at what to do if they meet their victim in the street. We also look at establishing positive hobbies and supportive relationships with friends, family, whanau, church groups, or marae.”
To ensure his approach is holistic, Kurt liaises with others in his reintegration team, with prison-based support services and with outside organisations such as Work and Income.
Kurt, who used to be a probation officer, believes his new role will be very valuable.
“It can be overwhelming getting out of prison. Sorting this stuff out in prison puts prisoners on the front-foot so they can concentrate on complying with their sentences in the community and rehabilitating themselves to live an offence-free life.”
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ISSN 1178-8453