Reintegration teams from the five prison regions met in Wellington for a two-day forum to discuss best practice in case management.
Around 35 team members, including social workers, whanau liaison workers and reintegration caseworkers, attended the first national meeting since the prison-based teams were formed late last year.
Along with group discussion on operations and best practice, the teams were addressed by Victoria University criminology professor John Pratt about his views on preparing for prisoners’ release and his recent visits to "open" prisons in Scandinavia.
Jim Thompson, a community member of the New Zealand Parole Board gave a session on the role and responsibilities of the Board.
Gill Hood, Manager of Operations and Policy for the Community Probation Service, talked about probation services because probation officers are heavily involved in the implementation of reintegration plans.
General Manager Integration Phil McCarthy says the reintegration teams are doing a vital job and are a positive aspect of prison life.
"The teams work with other Corrections staff to give really practical support to prisoners who need it - from the day they enter prison to the the day they leave," he says.
"They help prisoners with needs such as as employment or training, housing and opening bank accounts."
The teams also work closely with prisoners’ support people such as families and whanau and other government and community organisations - for example, Work and Income and the Prisoners' Aid and Rehabilitation Society.
Practical support for prisoners: Reintegration team members
get together at the national forum in Wellington.
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ISSN 1178-8453