Kia ora,
I would like to take a moment to express my sadness over the recent tragic death of Liam Ashley. Deaths in custody are highly distressing for the family and friends of the deceased, and our thoughts and sympathies are with them.
Liam's family has asked some very reasonable questions, which deserve answers. I have confidence the investigations that are underway, including Corrections' own, will do just that.
My thoughts are also with Corrections staff and contractors for the distress I know they will also be experiencing. Working in the field of corrections is not easy. This has become increasingly clear to me in my 12 months as Corrections Minister, in which time I have visited a wide range of corrections facilities around the country. The environment is challenging, and I commend staff for the good work they do.
I have learnt a great deal about how our prisons work, not least through talking with staff I have met during these visits. They have been upfront about the issues they face every day, and I welcome this feedback. We can only make improvements if we communicate with each other.
I am also learning very quickly about the work Corrections staff do with offenders in the community. This is a vital part of our role, which seems largely to fly beneath the public's radar.
In August I visited various sites in Timaru where local offenders based in the community carry out their work sentences. These included a school, a scenic reserve and the grounds of a charitable foundation. The work that is undertaken is extremely valuable to the community and, I am happy to report, in all cases the standard was excellent.
During my visit I was given a quick tour of the Community Service Centre, and a full rundown of the community work process, from sentence to assessment.
A second visit in August was to meet 30 or so probation officers and psychological service staff, who were attending a seminar in Wellington given by visiting Canadian psychologist Dr Andrew Harris at the invitation of the Department.
Managing sex offenders, particularly those who target children, is an exceptionally difficult task, and I am heartened our staff have the appropriate tools and processes at their disposal to carry out their work professionally at all times. It is essential that New Zealand Corrections remains at the forefront of international work that is undertaken to effectively assess these offenders.
I am determined to lift the level of training and support offered to all Corrections staff to enable you to do the best job you possibly can.
Minister of Corrections Hon. Damien O'Connor visited Gleniti School to see the work done byoffenders
serving a sentence of Community Work. L-R: Rex Condon (retiring caretaker for GlenitiSchool), Kevin Foley
(Community Probation Service Centre Manager), Hon. Damien O'Connor, JulianBlanchard (Labour Spokesman for Aoraki),
Moe Morunga (Senior Community Work Supervisor),George Dewes (Community Work Supervisor).
Photo courtesy of Timaru Herald
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ISSN 1178-8453