This month I opened the organic farm at Christchurch Men’s Prison, which will provide employment for up to 12 minimum-security prisoners at Christchurch Men’s Prison and four minimum-security prisoners at Christchurch Women’s Prison.
Prison-grown organic produce will include garlic, French beans, carrots, broccoli, brussel sprouts, leeks, potatoes and pumpkin, for sale domestically and for export.
I especially welcomed the links with industries such as the Organics Certification Body, AgriQuality, advisory organisation Organics Aotearoa New Zealand and produce supplier Fresh Direct. Organics is a growing sector for New Zealand, with sales in the $100s of millions. These relationships present a real opportunity for both prisoner rehabilitation and businesses.
The two gardens are the next phase of organics expansion for Corrections Inmate Employment, with further growth opportunities being explored at Waikeria and Central North Island prisons.
Prisoners working within the gardens will receive training by qualified instructors and work towards gaining a NZQA National Certificate in Horticulture (Level 2), which will increase their chances of finding work on release.
Gaining employment is a fundamentally important part of prisoner rehabilitation. We know that if prisoners move into meaningful work on their release there is much less chance of them re-offending, so the community benefits as a result.
For many prisoners, qualifications they gain while in prison are the first they have ever received. I am always touched when asked to present certificates to prisoners, by their sense of pride and gratitude. It is possible to glimpse the possibilities that might await them when they are released.
Strong relationships between businesses and Corrections are not only mutually beneficial but are hugely beneficial to society, particularly in these times of record low unemployment. I call on employers all over the country to see how they can work with the Department.
The organics initiative is just one sign of the good progress the department has made over the past year in increasing the number of prisoners in work and training opportunities.
There are now 55 percent of sentenced prisoners in some type of work or training; including remands this figure is about 44 percent of prisoners. Those on Release to Work are up from 27 prisoners a week to around 116.
We have a way to go yet but we are making progress. Thank you to all those involved for all your hard work.
Minister of Corrections Hon Damien O’Connor (left), Corrections Horticulture Manager
Stu Whyte, and Organics Aotearoa New Zealand Chief Executive Ken Shirley.
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ISSN 1178-8453